Prevalence of colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae among pregnant women in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kashosi T Mitima; Steve Ntamako; Achippe M Birindwa; Ntakwinja Mukanire; John M Kivukuto; Kibendelwa Tsongo; Kanigula Mubagwa

doi:10.3855/jidc.5030

Prevalence of colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae among pregnant women in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Authors

Kashosi T Mitima Université Evangélique en Afrique, Bukavu, DR Congo
Steve Ntamako Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, DR Congo
Achippe M Birindwa Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, DR Congo
Ntakwinja Mukanire Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, DR Congo
John M Kivukuto Médecins d'Afrique, Coordination-Europe, Savigny Sur Orge, France
Kibendelwa Tsongo Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, DR Congo
Kanigula Mubagwa International Center for Advanced Research and Training (ICART), Bukavu, DR Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.5030

Keywords:

Streptococcus B, vaginal, colonization, pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal vaginal colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) has an important impact on neonatal health but has not been studied in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aim of this study was to determine its frequency and influencing factors.

Methodology: Vaginal samples (n = 509) for bacteriological analysis were collected from women in Bukavu, eastern DR Congo, during their third trimester of pregnancy, along with information about age, education and socio-economic status, and medical and obstetric-gynecological history.

Results: The overall GBS colonization rate was 20%. Colonization was significantly associated with low education, history of urinary infection during the pregnancy, history of premature childbirth or abortion, and HIV-positive serology, but was not significantly associated with socio-economic level or parity.

Conclusions: The GBS colonization rate is similar to that found elsewhere on the continent. Further studies, with follow-up of neonates of infected mothers and evaluation of prevention/treatment strategies, are needed.

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Published

2014-09-12

How to Cite

Mitima KT, Ntamako S, Birindwa AM, Mukanire N, Kivukuto JM, Tsongo K, Mubagwa K (2014) Prevalence of colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae among pregnant women in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:1195–1200. doi: 10.3855/jidc.5030

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Issue

Vol. 8 No. 09: September 2014

Section

Brief Original Articles

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