Carriage of Group B Streptococcus in Pregnant Women in Dakar, Senegal: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background: Beta-hemolytic group B streptococcus (GBS) is a germ responsible for vaginal carriage which can be responsible for serious maternal-fetal disorders. The frequency, intermittency and consequences of this carriage are the main reasons for its research in pregnant women. The objective of this study was to assess this carriage and identify associated factors.

Method: A vaginal sample was taken from 158 pregnant women and inoculated on GRP.B STREP_DIFF.AGAR (Granada) chromomeric medium from Beckton Dickinson (BD) and then incubated in an oven at 37°C. The reading took place at 24 and 48 hours. Group B Streptococcus appears in orange colonies. The data were collected, entered by Excel (version 2010) then analyzed by the SPSS software. 20.0. Chi-square test was used to analyze contingency tables with a significant difference if p <0.05.

Results: In sum, 158 pregnant women were included with a median age of 32 years. The carry rate was 25.7%. This carriage was variable according to the age of the patients (28.5% between 20 and 29 years and 21.0% after 40 years), the gestational age (27.4% in the second trimester and 27.2% in the third trimester), flora balance (39.3% intermediate flora and 24.1% unbalanced flora or vaginosis), parity (25.2% in nulliparas and primiparas), vulvovaginal candidiasis (25.5%) and a history of vaginal infections (26.0%). However, no significant difference was found between carrying GBS and these latter situations.

Conclusion: The intermittent nature and the potential complications of this carriage of GBS require its screening at the end of pregnancy in order to prevent any maternal-fetal disease.