Abstract
Background and Objectives: Group-B Streptococcal (GBS) prevalence varies from place to place and this organism is responsible for serious infections in newborns such as septicemia and meningitis. This study was undertaken in order to understand the magnitude of this problem in pregnant women and its fetal outcome.
Methods: Two low vaginal swabs were taken from 380 antenatal women at 28 weeks and from the same cases at 37 weeks of gestation from Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation, Venjaramoodu. The two swabs were immediately transported to the laboratory for processing. Out of the two low vaginal swabs collected, one swab was used for Gram’s stain and the other swab was inoculated in Todd - Hewitt broth (Oxoid Ltd) containing Nalidixic acid (15 mg/L) and Gentamicin (8mg/L) and incubated at 370c in 5% CO2. After 24 hrs of incubation from culture broth, subcultures were performed in 5% sheep blood agar and Macconkey agar for isolation of GBS. Identification was done based on Gram staining, colony morphology, catalase reaction, CAMP test, carbohydrate fermentation, and Hippurate hydrolysis test. Isolates were confirmed by latex agglutination test.
Results: Of the 380 pregnant women screened, 3.2% were colonized by GBS. GBS colonization rate was higher among pregnant women in third trimester who were ≤20 years of age and primigravidae. In our study all the strains were sensitive to Penicillin, Ceftriaxone, Linezolid, Ofloxacin and Vancomycin. Resistance was observed with Erythromycin (25%), Clindamycin (25%).
Conclusion: As the GBS colonization rate among pregnant women in third trimester of pregnancy is low, screening for GBS as a routine component of prenatal care is a procedure of uncertain clinical value.
Keywords: Group-B Streptococcus; Colonization; Prevalence.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Ceena.V.Netto
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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i1.172
