Obstetrics & Gynecology Science

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Original Article
Korean J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;49(2):337-344. Published online February 1, 2006.
Group B Streptococcal Colonization Rate in Korean Pregnant Women.
Min Woo Kim, Hyun Oh Jang, Doo Young Chang, Jong Rae Cho, Young Ah Kim, Hyung Min Choi, Sang Hyun Kim, Jong Pyo Lee, Kyung Jin Hwang, Byung Hee Kang
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Korea.
2Department of Pediatrics, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Korea. indol0195@chol.com
3Department of Clinical Pathology, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Korea.
4Dongwon Women's Hospital, Korea.
5Ilsanjeil Hospital, Korea.
6Grace Hospital, Goyang, Gyeonggi, Korea.
7Paju Mirae Women's Hospital, Paju, Gyeonggi, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the colonization rate of the group B streptococcus (GBS) in Korean pregnant women and their neonates, and the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated GBS. METHODS: From March 2005 to May 2005, pregnant women who visited 3 obstetric clinics in Goyang-si and Paju-si for antenatal care after 35 weeks of gestation were enrolled. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline for collecting and processing clinical specimens for group B streptococcal culture, specimens were obtained from the lower third of the vagina and perianal areas, and then inoculated on Todd-Hewitt broth. The test for antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by a disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Of the 273 pregnant women, 13 (4.8%) had a positive culture from at least 1 site (vaginal culture 6, perianal culture 3, both 4). No GBS colonization was found in their neonates. The antibiotic resistance rate was 53.9% (7/13) for erythromycin and 61.5% (8/13) for clindamycin. CONCLUSION: In this study, the colonization rate of group B streptococci in Korean pregnant women was found to be lower than those reported in USA, Western Europe, and other Asian countries. The antibiotic resistance rate for erythromycin and clindamycin was higher than those reported in other countries. Further evaluation was needed to establish the screening and chemoprophylaxis guideline for Korean pregnant women.

Keywords :Group B streptococcus;Pregnancy;Colonization rate;Antimicrobial susceptibility

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