Streptococcus agalactiae in childbearing age immigrant women in Comunitat Valenciana (Spain)

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) is a major cause of meningitis and sepsis in newborns globally.
• GBS also causes disease in pregnant and puerperal women.
• Understanding geographical variations in GBS colonization is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of GBS infections and colonization rates in women of childbearing age in Valencia, Spain.
• To analyze the association between GBS colonization rates and the country of origin of pregnant women.
• To identify factors influencing geographical disparities in GBS colonization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of GBS infections in women (2009-2014) and colonization rates in pregnant women (2013-2015).
• Data collected from women attending Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
• Analysis of GBS rates based on geographical origin, GDP, and temperature of birth country.

Main Results:

• An overall GBS isolation rate of 5.19‰ was observed across 6,641,960 women.
• GBS colonization rate in 4532 pregnant women was 12.47%.
• Significantly higher colonization rates were found in women from the Indian subcontinent (17.2‰) and Sub-Saharan Africa (22.7‰), compared to Western Europe (2.2‰) and North America (2.1‰).
• Low GDP and high temperatures in the country of origin were associated with increased GBS colonization.

Conclusions:

• GBS colonization rates exhibit significant geographical variation, with distinct patterns observed across different continents.
• Country of origin is a key determinant of GBS colonization prevalence.
• Socioeconomic factors (GDP) and environmental factors (temperature) likely play a role in the observed geographical distribution of GBS.