Abstract:
Group B streptococcus (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae, a Gram-positive
bacterium in the gastrointestinal and gastro-urinary tract, is a significant culprit
in bacterial infections among parturient mothers and their neonates. It leads to
life-threatening situations among the infected despite the current advances in
medical care. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors
associated with Group B streptococcus colonization and compared different
diagnostic approaches among pregnant women attending the Cape Coast
Teaching Hospital. The research employed a cross-sectional comparative study
of 150 pregnant women between the ages of 15 to 45 years, with a mean of 25.1
(±4.7) each for every trimester. Vaginal swab samples were collected from each
participant and sent for microscopy, biochemical testing, culture, and
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the multiplex primer approach. The
study reported a prevalence of 34.7% of GBS infection among the participants
using the 16s rRNA PCR sequencing method as the standard. A comparison of
the other PCR techniques and the culture method reported that the culture
method was insensitive but specific. In all, no significant association was
established between the prevalence of infection and the clinical information of
participants. GBS was highly prevalent among the participants, and established
protocol for diagnosis is urgent to curtail this disease.
