Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococci) carriage in late pregnancy in Kuwait

This study investigated the vaginal colonization rate of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci, GBS) in an antenatal population in a maternity hospital.

Anal, vaginal and combined anal and vaginal specimens were obtained from 110 pregnant women (mean age 30.7 +/- 5.5 years) at 35-37 weeks of gestation, using a commercially prepared culturette, and transported in 0.5 ml of Stuart's transport medium. The specimens were then cultured in standard selective Todd-Hewitt broth medium, supplemented with gentamicin and nalidixic acid. After 36 h of incubation, the broth culture was subcultured onto sheep blood agar and incubated in 5% carbon dioxide for 18-24 h. Representative colonies morphologically resembling GBS were tested with latex agglutination kit. Each culture-positive woman was given ampicillin or piperacillin prophylactically and followed up through labour and postpartum. Detailed records of biodata, antecedent antenatal events and pregnancy outcome were reviewed.

The combined vaginal and anal specimens were positive for GBS in 18 (16.4%) women. Gestational age at delivery was 39.01 +/- 1.79 weeks. The deliveries were uneventful and no neonate developed sepsis. Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy-induced hypertension/hypertension were detected antenatally in 16.6 and 11.5%, respectively. GBS carriage was not associated with adverse outcome of pregnancy.

The colonization rate of GBS in pregnant women in Kuwait is high, and on the basis of the documented benefits of antenatal screening in Western countries, we recommend routine screening especially for our at-risk patients.