Serotypes and antibiotic resistance patterns of group B streptococci isolated from pregnant women at Urmia University Hospital, Iran.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract and genitalia of both humans and animals. GBS infections can lead to a range of conditions, including meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. The present study aimed to analyze the colonization rate, antibiotic susceptibility, and serotypes of GBS in pregnant women in Urmia, Iran.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Following GBS isolation from pregnant women and confirming its presence through PCR, antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted to assess resistance patterns, followed by amplification of resistance genes (mefA, ermB, ermTR, linB) and molecular serotyping to determine the genetic characteristics of the strains.

RESULTS

Out of 400 samples, 31 (7.75%) were positive for GBS, with 22 (70.97%) showing multidrug resistance. Clindamycin had the highest resistance rate (80.65%), while penicillin showed the lowest (3.23%). Serotypes II and V were the most common (38.71% each), followed by Ia (19.35%) and III (3.23%). The ermB gene was detected in 4 strains, while mefA, ermTR, and linB were not found.

CONCLUSION

Optimal management of GBS infections in pregnant women necessitates ongoing surveillance and antibiotic stewardship, considering penicillin resistance and observed resistance patterns.