Group B Streptococcus Isolation, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profileand Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending HealthFacilities, Hawassa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Maternal genitourinary tract colonization with group B streptococcus (GBS) is a predominant risk factor for the development of earlyonset disease in neonates and puts newborns at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility profile and associated factors of group B streptococcus among pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation. 

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2022 at selected health facilities in Hawassa, Ethiopia. A total of 329 antenatal clinics attendees, proportionally allocated were recruited consecutively. Three were excluded because of their antibiotic uptake in the last two weeks of the study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Vagino-rectal swabs were collected and cultured in Todd Hewitt broth and on 5% sheep blood agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression test.

Results: Among the 326, 48 (14.7%) were positive for GBS. The GBS isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (100%) and resistant to penicillin (2.1%), ampicillin (4.2%), erythromycin (8.3%) and clindamycin (12.5%). Maternal GBS colonization was significantly associated with rural residence (AOR= 2.29 (95%CI = 1.17-5.32), p = 0.032) and with a single antenatal visit (AOR = 2.49 (95% CI = 1.07-4.93), p = 0.018).

Conclusion: The high frequency of vagino-rectal GBS colonization, resistance to the commonly used antibiotics and association with rural residence and a single antenatal visit for present study put emphasis on further investigation and accomplishment of routine GBS screening practices.