Group B streptococcus colonisation and associated risk factors among pregnant women: A hospital‐based study and implications for primary care

Abstract

Summary Background Group B streptococcus (GBS), which asymptomatically colonises the vaginal and rectal areas of women, is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with GBS colonisation among pregnant women in Shenzhen, China. Methods A hospital‐based cross‐sectional survey was conducted, using a multistage sampling method. Pregnant women at ≥28 weeks’ gestation completed a questionnaire and vaginal swabs were obtained for GBS analysis. Data were analysed by chi‐squared tests and logistic regression models. Results The colonisation rate of GBS among pregnant women was 4.9%. The influencing factors associated with GBS colonisation included body mass index before pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] = 3.79, 95% CI 1.28‐11.26), gestational age (OR = 5.81, 95% CI 1.20‐28.15), induced abortion (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.40‐0.98) and lotion use before pregnancy (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.04‐2.44). Conclusions Our findings suggest that obesity, gestational age, induced abortion and lotion use were significantly associated with GBS colonisation. Further longitudinal research is needed to establish the causal relationship and its biological mechanisms.

Group B Streptococcus Colonisation, Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Dschang District Hospital, West Region of Cameroun: A hospital-based Cross Sectional Study

“…Studies conducted in Cameroon on GBS colonisation in pregnant women have focused on assessing the prevalence 12,13,15,16,19 but risk factors for GBS colonisation have not been systematically studied. For example, increasing epidemiological studies have demonstrated the relationship between obesity and GBS colonisation in pregnant women 1,23 . The impact of sociodemographics factors on GBS colonisation in pregnant women show the association with the level of income (p = 0006) with high prevalence (55.56%) found in patients with low income.…”

“…Group B streptococcus (GBS), also name as Streptococcus agalactiae, is a gram-positive bacterium know for its capacity to cause infection of the mother infection, fetus, neonatal sepsis and meningitis 1,2 . Early-onset diseases in infants such like pathogen causes chorioamnionitis 3 , preterm birth 4 , stillbirth 5 , meningitis 6 are the results of GBS vertical transmission from a colonised mother during or just before delivery.…”

Group B streptococci in pregnancy: New perspectives for old challenges

“…A study conducted in Spain between 2013 and 2015 found that performing genital hygiene twice or more daily was associated with a higher risk of GBS colonisation during pregnancy . In the study by Chen et al, a history of induced abortions, but not of spontaneous abortions, was associated with significantly lower GBS colonisation rates …”

“…A better understanding of these risk factors and improved clinical management are ideally positioned to develop targeted efforts to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In the current issue of the IJCP , Chen et al had reported a hospital‐based cross‐sectional survey on pregnant women who were undergoing routine prenatal testing. Obstetric data and bacteriological cultures were available for 2121 participants.…”

“…These include obesity, age, being African‐American or Caucasian, older age at the first pregnancy, a history of GBS during a previous pregnancy, being multigravida, meconium‐stained amniotic fluid, a longer duration of the premature rupture of membranes, and smoking . The study by Chen et al builds on the existing literature and sets the stage for additional, much‐needed work to examine the factors associated with GBS colonisation during pregnancy, study causality and interrogate underlying mechanisms. These efforts are powerfully positioned to better understand an important and preventable cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, which has challenged maternal‐fetal medicine over centuries and across continents.…”