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Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a major cause of
meningitis and sepsis in newborns and is the primary cause of perinatal bacterial diseases in
pregnant women. It leads to significant morbidity and mortality for both mothers and infants.
This issue is particularly concerning in Ethiopia, especially in the current study area, where
it has not been adequately addressed.
Objectives: To determine the colonization rate, antibacterial susceptibility isolates, and
associated factors of GBS among pregnant women attending antenatal care at JUMC.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Jimma University Medical
Center from August 1 to November 30, 2024. Recto-vaginal swab samples were collected by
brushing the lower vagina and rectum with a sterile cotton swab and inoculated onto 5%
sheep blood agar. Biochemical testing was performed alongside antimicrobial susceptibility
testing using the Kirby-Bauer method. Data analysis was conducted using EpiData version
3.1 and SPSS version 25. Logistic regression assessed the relationship between explanatory
and outcome variables, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The overall colonization rate of GBS among pregnant women attending antenatal
care was 10.2% (23/225).GBS colonization was significantly associated with history of
premature rupture of the membrane(AOR=3.187, 95% CI= 1.052-9.654). And history of
Urinary tract infection (AOR=4.267, 95% CI= 1.556 -11.698). The majority of GBS isolates
were sensitive to vancomycin (100%), ampicillin (93.1%), and penicillin (95.7%). In
contrast, the GBS isolates were found resistant to ceftriaxone, tetracycline ciprofloxacin,
clindamycin, and Azithromycin with a rate of 21.7%, 91.3%, 34.8%, 26.1%, and 21.7%
respectively.
Conclusions: The colonization rate of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) among pregnant women
at JUMC was low, with most isolates sensitive to vancomycin, ampicillin, and penicillin G.
However, many isolates showed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. This highlights the
need for routine GBS screening in pregnant women and efforts to combat antimicrobial
resistance. |
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