TITLE:
Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern and Factors Associated with GBS Colonization in Pregnant Women at the Regional Hospital Bamenda (RHB)
AUTHORS:
William Ako Takang, Egbe Thomas Obichemti, Fouelifack Ymele Florent, Ujambeng Valie Ujambeng, Anouboweh Asaah Forlemu
KEYWORDS:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS), Prevalence, Anti-Microbial Susceptibility Profiles, Pregnant Women, Carriage, Colonization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Maternal asymptomatic colonization with GBS
(Group-B Streptococcus)
has become a major cause of sepsis, meningitis and encephalopathy in neonates
alongside premature births, stillbirths and post-natal infections. Routine screening of pregnant women for GBS
carriage and antimicrobial susceptibility are therefore necessary. This
study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence,
antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and factors associated with GBS
colonization in pregnant women at the Regional Hospital Bamenda (RHB). Materials and Methods: Vaginal and rectal swab samples were collected from
121 pregnant women in the 3rd trimester at the RHB from December
2017 to May 2018. Sociodemographic, obstetric and neonatal history and some clinical parameters were obtained through
a questionnaire approach. Cultures for the isolation and identification
of GBS from the samples were done and grouping as well as susceptibility
testing of GBS isolates was done. Results: The colonisation rates were 5.8%
(7), 1.7% (2) and 5.8% (7) for rectal,
vaginal and concomitant recto-vaginal carriage. GBS was isolated in the vagina/rectum
of 16 participants (13.2% prevalence). Of the 16 GBS strains used for in vitro susceptibility test, no resistance to ampicillin,
oxacillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, imipenem,
aztreonam and clindamycin was recorded. 6.3% (1) of the
strains had intermediate susceptibility to ampicillin and
amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Of the isolates examined, 37.5%
(6), and 12.5% (2) were respectively sensitive to gentamycin and levofloxacin. Maternal overweight, HIV positive status, history
of PROM and spontaneous abortion, presence of Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans had a high rate of
GBS colonization but only HIV positive status had a statistical significance (p
= 0.01). Other microbes isolated were Gardnerella vaginalis (55.4%, 67), Candida albicans (40.5%, 49), and Candida spp (12.4%, 15). Conclusion: GBS prevalence was 13.2%. GBS had decreased susceptibility to some antibiotics.
Only HIV positive status was significantly associated with GBS colonization.