Abstract:
Streptococcus agalcatiae (GBS) is a relatively common; normal bacterium in
a woman's gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract; however, implicated as a
leading cause of neonatal invasive infections. Maternal GBS colonization
during late pregnancy is a pre-requisite for neonatal GBS infections. This
study aimed at determining the prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae among
parturients and their neonates in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. A total of
301;150 vaginal swabs(parturients) and 151 superficial swabs(neonates)were
collected between June 2019 and August 2019 and investigated for the
presence of Streptococcus agalactiae using the culture method,16S rRNA, cfb,
scpB, and atr genes targeting assays. Prevalence of GBS infection observed
among the mothers was 36(24.0%),34(22.7%),32(21.3%),20(13.3%), and
2(1.3%) for atr gene, ScpB gene, cfb gene,16SrRNA gene, and culture
technique respectively. Using the atr as the standard, sensitivities 55.6% for
scp, 47.2% for cfb,47.2% for 16s rRNA gene and 5.6%, for culture were
reported. Among the neonates, prevalence was 57(37.5%), 43(28.3%),
42(27.6%) 40(26.3%) and 0(0.0%) for atr gene, cfb gene, scpB gene, 16s
rRNA and culture technique respectively. Sensitivites of 64.9%,70.2%,
64.9%,0.0% were also reported among the neonates for 16s rRNA, ScpB, cfb,
and culture respectively comparing with the standard, atr gene. Specificity for
the culture method and assays used in this study were above 85.0% and 90%
for parturients and neonates respectively. A significant relationship was
observed between GBS infection and ≤37 weeks gestation among the
parturients. Also, among the neonates, a statistically significant relationship
was found between GBS infection and the risk of intrauterine fetal death
(IUFD). A comparative analysis of the PCR assays and the culture method
revealed a relatively high prevalence of GBS among parturients and their
neonates. Therefore, the use of PCR assays in combination with the culture
method is recommended to increase the diagnosis of Group B streptococcal
infection. A systematic national guideline is therefore recommended for the
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of GBS infection and its related
complications among parturients and their neonates.
