Streptococcus agalactiae maternal colonization, antibiotic resistance and serotype profiles in Africa: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Maternal rectovaginal colonization with Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus or GBS) is the most common route for the GBS disease in the perinatal period. The knowledge of maternal colonization, antibiotic resistance and serotype profiles is substantially needed to formulate the broad vaccine. However, it has not been estimated in Africa. This meta-analysis was aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of colonization, antibiotic resistance and serotype profiles of GBS reported in Africa. Methods: Potentially relevant studies from 1989 to 31th January, 2019 were retrieved from the Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, HINARI online databases, periodicals and by requesting authors. Unpublished studies retrieved from grey literature through Google and Google Scholar. Pooled estimates were calculated using the random effect model. Subgroup analysis was done to investigate the burden of colonization across sub-regions, sampling site and countries. Summary estimates were presented using words, Forest plots and Tables. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic. Results: Eighty-three articles were assessed, of which 57 studies conducted in five sub-regions with 21 countries (22,206 pregnant women) met pre-specified inclusion criteria. The overall estimate of recto-vaginal colonization was 19.3% (95% CI 16.9, 21.7). The highest estimate was observed in Southern Africa, 23.8% (95% CI 18.7, 28.9), followed by Northern Africa, 22.7% (95% CI 18.2, 27.2) while the lowest was driven from the Eastern Africa, 15.4% (95% CI 12.1, 18.7). Considerable heterogeneity across and within regions, sampling site, screening methods and countries (I 2 > 75%); and the publication bias were observed (p = 0.031). GBS showed the highest resistance to tetracycline. Resistance to penicillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, vancomycin and clindamycin also observed. The V, III, Ia, Ib, and II serotypes altogether were accounted 91.8% in the African studies. Conclusions: The pooled estimate of the maternal colonization with GBS was 19.3% which is equivalent with other many primary and review reports worldwide. The most antibiotic resistance estimate was recorded in the tetracycline followed by penicillin. Five serotypes were the most prevalent in Africa and more data on the antibiotic résistance and serotype distribution patterns are needed from developing countries to devise the effective preventive measures. In addition, the antibiotic susceptibility test methods used in the Africa shall be assessed for its quality.

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from pregnant women and newborns at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Human GBS has currently 10 serotypes, Ia, Ib, II to IX, based on serotype specific antigens [9] and the current candidate capsular polysaccharide conjugate vaccines target only a subset of these [10]. A study described that the five most common serotypes, Ia, Ib, II, III, and V accounted for more than 85% of serotypes in global regions that have reported serotype data, including the Americas (96%), Europe (93%), and the Western Pacific (89%) [11], and Africa (91.8%) [12]. A review demonstrated that among the ten serotypes, Ia, Ib, II, III, and V accounts for 98% of the identified colonizing isolates worldwide.…”

Investigation ofStreptococcus agalactiaeusingpcsB‐based LAMP in milk, tilapia and vaginal swabs in Haikou, China

“…high resistance to tetracycline) as or apparently different (e.g. distinct resistance to aminoglycoside) from the results of other surveys (Doumith et al 2017;Gizachew et al 2019). For sulphonamides and fluoroquinolones, discrepancies may be explained by inadequate genotyping tests.…”

Granadaene Photobleaching Reduces the Virulence and Increases Antimicrobial Susceptibility ofStreptococcus agalactiae

“…Given the increasing development of reduced penicillin susceptibility in GBS, it is possible that photobleaching may provide an avenue to reduce potential penicillin resistance in GBS if it were to become widespread within the population (37,38). However, it is clear with the current results that the pigment photobleaching process is more effective with antimicrobials like daptomycin that are dependent on membrane insertion and disruption.…”