ABSTRACT

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can cause severe pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis in neonates and causes one of the most prevalent causes of invasive neonatal infections. Prenatal screening and prenatal antibiotic prophylaxis can prevent maternal transmission of S.agalactiae during delivery.

Aim: To determine the maternal risk of maternal carriage of group B streptococcus over time, to offer reliable epidemiological data to the health staff working at maternity Meriem Bouatoura, Batna (Northeast Algeria) or Even all maternity hospitals in Algeria.

Methods: In this prospective study, vaginal specimens (lower third) were collected from 150 pregnant women. The samples were cultured on 5% sheep blood and Chromagar Orientation. The method of confirming the identification of GBS was he agglutination test using the PASTOREX® Strep Kit. The antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby Bauer method.

Results: A total of 150 patients received in 34 weeks of amenorrhea. A total of 15 patients were GBS positive, a percentage rate of 10%. Regular vaginal culture in pregnant third trimester screening was done, with evaluation of risk factors and treatment of risk of infection in infants is considered.

Conclusion: There are a fairly large proportion of positive cases to alarm health personnel about the need to put in place a surveillance plan on the emergence of this dangerous strain.

Keywords: Streptococcus agalactiae, Pregnant Women, Batna, Northeast Algeria.