PREVALENCE RATE, ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND COLONIZATION RISK FACTORS OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS IN GENITAL TRACT OF PREGNANT WOMEN

Introduction: Group B Streptococcous (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal infection. It also plays a significant role in maternal infections. Pregnant women colonization is notably related to infections in newborns. Penicillin is usually the drug of choice for treatment of GBS infections. The purpose of this study was to assess epidemiology of Group B Streptococcous, colonized in pregnant women vagina, as well as Antibiotic susceptibility and Colonization risk factors. Methods: This study was performed asa cross-sectional on 382 pregnant women in Kashan during 2011-2012, sampeling method was performe by sterile swab from vagina, swabs were inoculated in LIM broth. GBS isolates were identified by laboratory methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using disk-diffusion method. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, Chi square and Fisher exact tests. With a P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of vaginal GBS was 9.4%. All isolates were sensitive to penicillin and cefazolin, 97.2% to ampicilin, 80.5% to erythromycin and 83.4% to clindamycin. A significant correlation was found between GBS colonization and parity while no correlation were found with other variables. Conclusion: Our study confirms the high rate of beta-lactam sensitivity of GBS.