Prevalence of Group B streptococcal infection colonisation in pregnant women and their offspring in the Middle East

Clinical profile and outcome of group B streptococcal colonization in mothers and neonates in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: A prospective observational study

“…[ 1 ] Earlier studies from UAE reported prevalence of 10.1% and 21.5%, which is higher than that found in the current study. [ 18 19 ] Recent studies from Middle Eastern countries also show significant variance in the prevalence of GBS colonization. [ 13 14 15 18 19 20 24 ] The varying rates of colonization can be partly explained by difference in socioeconomic groups, education level and acceptance of medical and diagnostic facilities.…”

Colonization of Group B Streptococci In Pregnant Women At Delivery

“…Reason for this discrepancy between countries originates from the fact that GBS colonization varies according to the geographical area, ethnic origin and methods of intrapartum contraception (8,9) . In USA, incidence of newborn infections due to GBS is 1 to 4 per 1000 live births, while this figure is 0 to 3 in UK (2,6) . GBS colonization rate is 11.4% and 24.9% in USA, 12% and 15% in Europe, 21.5% in Middle East and 11.4% and 27.9% in Japan (6,10) .…”

“…In USA, incidence of newborn infections due to GBS is 1 to 4 per 1000 live births, while this figure is 0 to 3 in UK (2,6) . GBS colonization rate is 11.4% and 24.9% in USA, 12% and 15% in Europe, 21.5% in Middle East and 11.4% and 27.9% in Japan (6,10) . Frequency of GBS in Turkey has been determined as between 1% and 16% in different studies (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) .…”

“…Similarly, no significant associations between being a housewife and GBS colonization was found, consistently with others reported in the literature (10) . Intrapartum prophylaxis is recommended in pregnant women with risk factors (preterm birth act, EMR, PMR, fever>38 o C at delivery, urinary infection due to GBS during pregnancy, and history of GBS related disease in children of pregnant woman) or in women with positive rectovaginal GBS cultures obtained between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy in order to prevent perinatal GBS infections (6,8,20) . However, progressively increasing rate of resistance to antibiotics used in intrapartum prophylaxis has become an important issue.…”

“…Most frequently serious clinical conditions such as sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis are observed. Although difference is present between countries, incidence of infection with early onset varies between 0.7 and 3.7 per 1000 live births (1,4,6) . Infections with late onset are appeared within 8 days to 3 months following delivery.…”