Maternal and Neonatal Group B Streptococcus colonisation in a cohort of Libyan women

Abstract

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) may be vertically transmitted from mother to infant during labour and cause life threatening neonatal sepsis. The objective of this study was to determine the risk and prevalence of GBS colonisation and vertical transmission and to establish an association between GBS colonisation and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: One hundred samples were randomly collected from women at labour at Said hospital in Misrata, Libya. The study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki (2013). Maternal data was obtained through a questionnaire. Caesarean deliveries and women who had received antibiotic therapy within two weeks prior to sample collection were excluded from the study. Vaginal and rectal swabs were collected from each patient using sterile cotton-tipped swabs. Infant swabs were collected from the external ear canal at birth. GBS was detected using the Agilent AriaMx Real-Time PCR System.

Results: GBS was detected in 14 maternal rectal swabs and 12 vaginal swabs. GBS was detected in both vaginal and rectal swabs from only 8 mothers. Age, level of education, parity and gravidity showed no correlation with GBS colonisation nor pregnancy outcomes.

Of the 100 mothers who participated in the study, 93% delivered full term, while 7% delivered preterm. Normal birth weight was observed in 74% of the neonates with a significant association observed between birth weight of the neonate and GBS colonisation and between preterm delivery and GBS colonisation.

Conclusion: The prevalence of maternal GBS colonisation and risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes was low in this cohort of women, thus reducing the risk for neonatal sepsis.