A Study of Group B Streptococcal Infection in Korean Pregnant Women.
- Author:
Lee Suk PARK
;
Kyung SEO
;
Sei Kwang KIM
;
Yong Won PARK
;
Hyun Yong JUNG
;
Yun Sop CHONG
;
Kyung Won LEE
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Group B Streptococcus(GBS);
pregnancy;
colonization;
B
- MeSH:
Agar;
Cervix Uteri;
Colon;
Ear Canal;
Female;
Humans;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Life Style;
Mothers;
Pharynx;
Pregnancy;
Pregnant Women*;
Prevalence;
Sepsis;
Streptococcal Infections*;
Vagina
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1999;42(9):2038-2042
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of streptococcal colonization in Korean pregnant women. METHODS: The study comprised of 153 singleton pregnant women who visited Severance Hospital for delivery, and their neonates. Specimens for GBS culture were collected by a sterile cotton swab from lower vagina and cervix of pregnant women, and from ear canal and throat of neonates. They were first cultured for 48 hours in Todd-Hewitt broth and then subcultured onto Tryptose blood agar plates(Difco). Group B streptococci were confirmed by the presence of beta-hemolysis and a positive reaction with Phadebact group B Streptococci reagent(Karo Biodiagnostics AB, Huddinge, Sweden). RESULTS: The prevalence of positive cultures in pregnant women and neonates were 2.61%(4/153) and 0%(0/4), respectively. In the study population there was a case of suspicious group B streptococcual sepsis in an infant whose mother was colonized. CONCLUSIONS: In our study the GBS colonization rate in Korean pregnant women was significantly lower than that of other countries. The reason for this difference may be associated with a racial differences, or social factors such as socio-economic status or a life style.
