The prevalence of asymptomatic group B streptococcal infection and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern among parturients at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Early‑onset Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Policy of active prevention by antepartum screening and treatment is not a popular practice in resource‑constrained settings.Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of asymptomatic GBS infection and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern. It also determined the outcome of Intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis (IAP).Methodology: It was a prospective and longitudinal study done in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, between June 2014 and April 2015. Two hundred and twenty consenting pregnant women with gestational ages between 35 and 37 completed weeks were participated in the study. Vagina and rectum were swabbed using different rayon swab sticks. Swabs were placed in Amies, nonnutritive transport medium. Bacteriological procedures to culture GBS and confirmation with biochemical tests and serological test were done. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern was determined. Participants who had GBS rectovaginal colonization had intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis with penicillin G. All participants were followed up till to a week after birth.Results: Out of the 220 pregnant participants, 19 (8.6%) had GBS rectovaginal colonization. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern revealed that GBS isolates were all sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, and cefazolin while 4 (21.1%) were resistant to ceftriaxone and 6 (31.6%) were resistant to both erythromycin and clindamycin. None of the isolates were resistant to erythromycin and sensitive to clindamycin or vice versa. Of the 19 participants with GBS rectovaginal colonization, 2 (10.5%) delivered low birth weight baby, but there was no incidence of early‑onset GBS disease.Conclusion: The prevalence of GBS rectovaginal colonization in this study is similar to figures from other parts of the country. The GBS sensitivity pattern to penicillin was similar to those reported elsewhere. Fetal outcome following intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis was good.Keywords: Group B streptococcal infection; pregnancy; prevalence; sensitivit