Abstract
Introduction Group B streptococci (GBS) are globally recognized as one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis and is also known to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirths and miscarriages. Thus, detailed investigation of GBS in pregnant women has special significance in public health related researches. Objectives The present study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of GBS colonization among pregnant women in Kathmandu city. Methods The study was carried out among 125 pregnant women at their trimester (35–37 weeks) (during the time period between January and June in 2018). The prevalence was determined by the culture method in HiCrome Strep B Selective Agar Base and then by using the PCR technique. The serotypes were evaluated by multiplex PCR analysis, while the antibiotics susceptibility tests were performed using the disk diffusion method. Results Among 125 samples studied, GBS were recorded in 24 samples (implying a prevalence of 19.2%). Furthermore, using the multiplex PCR, among 24 GBS-positive samples, 13 (54.17%) were found to be typeable while 11 (45.83%) were nontypeable. The most abundant serotype recorded in this study was type III (33.33) while the serotypes IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII were not found. Conclusion The isolates were sensitive towards some antibiotics such as linezolid and ceftriaxone 100%, whereas penicillin 50% and vancomycin 75% but were resistant to tetracycline and ertapenem. Serotype III was found to be predominant in the samples collected during the study period. The observed prevalence was significantly associated with the gestational period, whereas no relationship was found for other risk factors.
Highlights
Group B streptococci (GBS) are globally recognized as one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis and is known to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirths and miscarriages. us, detailed investigation of GBS in pregnant women has special significance in public health related researches
Among 13 variants, 9 variants, Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII, are considered as clinically important [6]. e capsular polysaccharides of GBS isolates are the important virulence factors with antiphagocytic purposes and are used as the key components of developing new multivalent GBS vaccines [4]. e CPS has been used for serotype identification [7]. e GBS are distributed differently among age, parity, socioeconomic status, geographic region, sexual behavior, and so on, which may change over time period [8]
E few studies published from developing countries have shown comparatively lower prevalence rates: Japan 16%, Korea 8%, Myanmar 7.1%, and Philippines 7.5% [18], and the exception in this trend was Zimbabwe, where colonization rates of 60.3% were reported [19]. e risk of a neonate to be colonized at birth is directly related to the intensity of maternal colonization [20]. e rate of vaginal colonization among pregnant women was found to depend on various risk factors, culture methods, type of medium used, time of pregnancy, race, origin, age, parity, and socioeconomic level [21]
Summary
Group B streptococci (GBS) are globally recognized as one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis and is known to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirths and miscarriages. us, detailed investigation of GBS in pregnant women has special significance in public health related researches. E present study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of GBS colonization among pregnant women in Kathmandu city. Streptococcus agalactiae is the leading bacteria for causing early neonatal morbidity and mortality [1] It is globally well known as one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis and is known to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth and miscarriages [2]. It is a Gram-positive, β-hemolytic opportunistic bacterium [3] that is found to colonize the genital and gastrointestinal tract of 10–40% of healthy women. Among 13 variants, 9 variants, Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII, are considered as clinically important [6]. e capsular polysaccharides of GBS isolates are the important virulence factors with antiphagocytic purposes and are used as the key components of developing new multivalent GBS vaccines [4]. e CPS has been used for serotype identification [7]. e GBS are distributed differently among age, parity, socioeconomic status, geographic region, sexual behavior, and so on, which may change over time period [8]
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