Vertical Transmission, Risk Factors, and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Group B

Background: Group B Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers and their neonates from February to May 2021. A total of 201 pregnant women with their neonates participated in this study. A well-designed questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and clinical data. A vaginal swab from mother before delivery and neonatal nasal and ear canal swab samples were taken as soon as after delivery within 30 minutes. Vaginal swabs, neonatal ear canal, and nasal swabs were placed into Todd-Hewitt broth and incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours at 35-37°C in 5% CO Results: Vertical transmission rates of GBS (mother to neonates) were 11.9%. The prevalence of GBS among pregnant women and newborns was 24/201 (11.9%) (95% CI = 7.5-16.9) and 11/201 (5.5%) (95% CI = 2.5-9.0), respectively. The history of prolonged rupture of membranes (AOR = 3.5, CI = 2.2-18.8) and urinary tract infection (AOR = 2.9, CI = 1.7-16.3) were associated factors for maternal GBS colonization. Gestational age of <37 weeks ( Conclusion: In this study, high vertical transmission (mother to neonates) rate was observed. The prevalence of vaginal GBS colonization of women at delivery was 11.9% and significantly associated with the history of prolonged rupture of membranes and urinary tract infections. Gestational age of <37 weeks, low birth weight of <2.5 kg, and maternal history of vaginal discharge were associated with neonatal GBS colonization. Hence, there is a need for antenatal culture-based GBS screening, risk factor-based interventions, and regular follow-up of drug resistance patterns for proper treatment and management of GBS.