Group B Streptococcal Colonization Rate in Korean Pregnant Women.

Objective: To evaluate the colonization rate of the group B streptococcus (GBS) in Korean pregnant women and their neonates, and the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated GBS. Methods: From March 2005 to May 2005, pregnant women who visited 3 obstetric clinics in Goyang-si and Paju-si for antenatal care after 35 weeks of gestation were enrolled. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline for collecting and processing clinical specimens for group B streptococcal culture, specimens were obtained from the lower third of the vagina and perianal areas, and then inoculated on Todd-Hewitt broth. The test for antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by a disc diffusion method. Results: Of the 273 pregnant women, 13 (4.8%) had a positive culture from at least 1 site (vaginal culture 6, perianal culture 3, both 4). No GBS colonization was found in their neonates. The antibiotic resistance rate was 53.9% (7/13) for erythromycin and 61.5% (8/13) for clindamycin. Conclusion: In this study, the colonization rate of group B streptococci in Korean pregnant women was found to be lower than those reported in USA, Western Europe, and other Asian countries. The antibiotic resistance rate for erythromycin and clindamycin was higher than those reported in other countries. Further evaluation was needed to establish the screening and chemoprophylaxis guideline for Korean pregnant women.