Screening of Group B Streptococcal and Candida Infections in Antenatal Women Visiting a Tertiary Care Hospital and the Neonatal Outcome

Abstract

Reproductive tract infections in antenatal women are frequently occurring public health concern affecting the quality of life in the infected women and further affects the neonatal outcome negatively. Vaginal infections are predominantly caused due to the disturbance in the normal vaginal microflora. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major peritoneal pathogen leading to morbidity and mortality in both mother and neonates leading to complications like preterm labour, chorioamnionitis and Preterm rupture of membrane (PROM). Further, Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a frequently encountered gynaecological disease causing morbidity in 3/4th of women at least once in their life span. It leads to infertility in non-pregnant women. It results in adverse pregnancy outcomes such as chorioamnionitis and congenital abnormalities in the neonates. The aim of this study is to screen for potential bacterial and yeast infections with focus on GBS and Candida infections and its neonatal outcome. Candida species and GBS were identified by routine culture-based tests. HiChrome agar was used for speciation of Candida species. CAMP test was performed for GBS; further identification was done using Streptococcal grouping kit. GBS was found in 15% of the antenatal women and Candida Species was found to be most common with an infection rate of 50%. Lower segment Cesarean section (LSCS) rate in GBS positive women was 60% and in Candida Non albicans positive women was found to be 65.38%. 33% of the neonates born to GBS positive mothers had respiratory distress. Infection in antenatal women negatively influenced the mode of delivery and the mean body weight of the neonates born to infected mothers were comparatively less.