Am J Clin Microbiol Antimicrob | Volume 7, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access
Ndiaye B1*, Ndiaye Y1, Diop A1, Gaye A2, Sene M1, Derwiche R1, Diao S1, Mahou C1, Talla C2, Loucoubar C2 and Seck A1,3
1Medical Biology Laboratory, Institute Pasteur Dakar, Dakar, Senegal 2Department of Epidemiology and Data Sciences, Institute Pasteur Dakar, Dakar, Senegal 3Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory, Cheikh Anta DIOP University, Dakar, Senegal
*Correspondance to: Babacar Ndiaye
Fulltext PDFBackground: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a significant cause of neonatal infections, including sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis, representing a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. In Senegal, the prevalence and risk factors for GBS carriage in pregnant women are poorly understood, with limited data available on its association with vaginal infections and microbiota balance. This study aims to assess the prevalence of GBS carriage among pregnant women in Senegal and explore potential risk factors, including maternal age, parity, gestational age, vaginal infections, and vaginal flora. Methods: A total of 407 pregnant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study conducted in Senegal. Participants were tested for GBS carriage, and data on maternal characteristics, including age, number of pregnancies, parity, and gestational age, were collected. A detailed history of vaginal infections was obtained, and vaginal samples were analyzed to determine the flora composition, including the presence of candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and normal flora. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the associations between these factors and GBS carriage by using R software (version 4.4.0). Results: Of the 407 women enrolled, 119 (29.2%) tested positive for GBS carriage. The median age of participants was 32 years, with no significant association between age and GBS carriage. There was no significant relationship between the number of pregnancies, parity, or gestational age and GBS colonization. However, women with a history of vaginal infections, particularly candidiasis, had a significantly higher odds of GBS carriage (OR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.76–4.25). Vaginal flora analysis revealed that 60.7% of participants had normal flora, 28.0% had intermediary flora, and 11.3% had BV, with no significant associations between flora type and GBS carriage. Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of GBS carriage among pregnant women in Senegal and identifies candidiasis as a significant risk factor for GBS colonization. These findings emphasize the need for targeted screening and management strategies, particularly for women with vaginal infections, to reduce the risk of GBS-related neonatal infections. Further research is necessary to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the association between vaginal infections and GBS carriage in the Senegalese and broader sub-Saharan African context.
Group B Streptococcus; Pregnant women; Senegal; Risk factors
Ndiaye B, Ndiaye Y, Diop A, Gaye A, Sene M, Derwiche R, et al. Maternal Health and Group B Streptococcus: Prevalence and Risk Factors in Senegalese Pregnant Women. Am J Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2025; 7(1): 1066..