ABSTRACT
Group B Streptococcus [GBS] infection has long been recognized as a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in newborn infants. Maternal colonization with GBS is the most predominant risk factor for the development of invasive neonatal GBS disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the current colonization rate with GBS and the association of age and parity with the colonization status in our region. One-hundred and fifty pregnant women at 35-40 weeks of gestation attending the Gynecological clinics at Ismailia from September 2007 to April 2008 were enrolled in this study. One vaginal swab was collected from each patient with an informed consent, inoculated in selective enrichment broth medium, subcultured and identified by conventional procedures. A total of 38 specimens [25.3%] were found to be positive for GBS. Colonization rates were significantly higher in pregnant women >/= 30 years and after the third pregnancy. The colonization rate was found to be high in our region and thereby constitutes a group of women whose infants are at great risk of [3135 invasive infections. Increasing age and parity might enhance the risk of colonization with GBS