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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Prevalence of Group B Streptococcus in Pregnant Women in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) recto-vaginal colonization affects 9.8% of pregnant women in Iran. This highlights the need for GBS screening and prevention guidelines for expectant mothers in the region.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS), or S. agalactiae, is a significant pathogen causing severe neonatal diseases.
- Vertical transmission from the mother's birth canal during labor and delivery is the primary route for early-onset GBS infections in newborns.
- There is a paucity of data regarding the prevalence of GBS recto-vaginal colonization among pregnant women in Iran.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of GBS recto-vaginal colonization in pregnant women in Iran.
- To inform the development of GBS screening and prevention strategies for pregnant women in Iran.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science) and the Iranian Database.
- Meta-analysis was employed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Biostat V2.2) software to synthesize findings from eligible studies.
- Twenty-five studies published between January 2000 and September 2016, reporting on GBS colonization incidence in pregnant women, were included.
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis revealed a pooled prevalence of GBS colonization among pregnant women in Iran to be 9.8%.
- The 95% confidence interval for this prevalence was calculated as 7.9% to 12%.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the necessity for establishing GBS screening measures and chemoprophylaxis guidelines for pregnant women in Iran.
- These guidelines should offer clear direction to obstetricians, midwives, and neonatologists for the effective prevention of GBS infections in newborns.
Background:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS or S. agalactiae) is a major cause of severe disease in neonates. In perinatal infections or early-onset disease, GBS is transmitted vertically to the newborn from the birth canal during labor and delivery. Limited information is available on the prevalence of GBS recto-vaginal colonization among pregnant women in Iran.
Methods:
We performed a systematic search by using different electronic databases including Medline (via Pubmed), Embase, Web of Science and Iranian Database. Meta-analysis was performed by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Biostat V2.2) software.
Results:
Of 250 articles published from January 2000 to September 2016, 25 studies that reported incidence of GBS colonization in pregnant women were included in this review. The meta-analyses showed that the prevalence of GBS colonization among Iranian pregnant women was 9.8% (95% confidence interval, 7.9-12).
Conclusions:
The results of this study indicate that GBS screening measures and chemoprophylaxis guidelines concerning GBS infections must be established for pregnant women in Iran, and these guidelines must provide guidance for obstetricians, midwives and neonatologists on the prevention of GBS infections.
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