A Study of Group B Streptococcal Infection in Korean Pregnant Women

Park, Lee Suk; Seo, Kyung; Kim, Sei Kwang; Park, Yong Won; Jung, Hyun Yong; Chong, Yun Sop; Lee, Kyung Won

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.