Prevalence of streptococcus group B in tracheal tube secretions of neonates with respiratory distress: a brief report

Abstract

Background: Infection with group B streptococcus (GBS) can present with respiratory distress, Pneumonia, meningitis and Osteomyelitis in neonates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of GBS colonization in trachea of intubated neonates.Methods: This observational analytic study was performed upon 33 intubated neonates due to respiratory distress in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Rasoul Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2010-2012. Tracheal secretions cultured upon TODD-HEWITT BROTH and sheep blood agar 5%., chi-square test was used for compare the qualitative variables. P<0.05 was considered meaningful.Results: Three cases had positive streptococcal culture (9.1%) and four cases had posi-tive culture for non-streptococcal organisms. no meaningful relation observed between positive GBS culture and neonatal gender, kind of delivery, PROM.Conclusion: Prevalence of GBS positive results (9%) in present study is very close to GBS colonization in pregnant women; although the higher colonization rate of pregnant women are expected.

Keywords

• group B Streptococcus (GBS)
• neonatal colonization
• neonatal respiratory distress