Group B Streptococcus Colonization among Saudi Women During Labor

BACKGROUND: The presence of group B streptococcus in the genital area during pregnancy and labor is associated with high neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, the exact prevalence of group B streptococcus among Saudi women has not yet been established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of group B streptococcal colonization in Saudi pregnant women as a primary end-point and neonatal complications as a secondary end-point. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of group B streptococcal colonization among Saudi women admitted in labor to the King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1371 maternal specimens (vaginal swabs, rectal swabs and midstream urine) were collected from 457 patients between October 2011 and September 2016. Neonatal specimens (urine, blood and cerebrospinal fluid) were collected if clinically indicated. RESULTS: Of the 457 women enrolled in this study, 87 (19%) had positive cultures for group B streptococcus either in the vaginal or rectal swab or both. Group B streptococcus was also found to be the most commonly isolated organism. In total, there were five cases of neonatal sepsis, of which one early-onset neonatal sepsis was caused by group B streptococcus. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the prevalence of group B streptococcal colonization is 19% among Saudi women admitted in labor to the King Fahd Hospital of the University.