Background:
GBS is an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity in many parts of the world, unfortunately there are not much Indian studies to know the prevalence and effect of GBS colonization in Indian pregnant women.
Aim:
To evaluate the group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization rate in pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy and to determine the maternal and neonatal outcome of positive GBS in a tertiary care center in North Kerala.
Methods:
A hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study, collecting samples of two vaginal swabs and two rectal swabs of pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks and following up culture positive patients for maternal and neonatal outcome.
Results:
The primary cultures were negative for GBS for all the swabs collected. The total GBS colonization rate was 0% (0/120).
Conclusion:
The present study shows that prevalence of GBS colonization is low in northern Kerala. This study questions the need for routine swabs for GBS and the use of antibiotics for GBS prophylaxis as done in Western countries. The need for routine culture and treatment for Group B Streptococcus need to be reassessed in large multicentric studies in this part of world.
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