Group B Streptococcus carriers among HIV-1 infected pregnant women: prevalence and risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine the frequency and risk factors of anogenital colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) in pregnant women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted on 207 pregnant women divided into two groups: HIV group (n=101) and a control group consisting of HIV-uninfected pregnant women (n=106) to assess regional colonization by GBS. Anal and vaginal swabs were collected and cultured in Todd-Hewitt broth, followed by a confirmatory test. For a control group with an anticipated proportion based on literature research of 10-30% and alpha=0.05, a sample size of 100 would have a power of 80% to detect a difference of 15% or greater with a study group. The mothers were studied in terms of frequency of anogenital colonization by GBS, maternal epidemiological data, and TCD4 lymphocyte counts. The results were analyzed using the chi(2)-test, Fisher's exact test and the Student's t-test, with the level of significance set at p<0.05.


RESULTS
Twenty (19.8%) HIV-1-infected pregnant women were found to be colonized by GBS at between 35 and 37 weeks' gestation. In the control group, the prevalence of GBS was 14.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant increase in GBS colonization was observed in HIV-1-infected pregnant women. Maternal colonization of GBS in HIV-infected pregnant women was not found to be associated with their immunological status. Sexual contact does not seem to be the principal way of transmitting GBS.
El Beitune
Patrícia
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. pbeitune@ig.com.br
Duarte
Geraldo
G
Maffei
Cláudia Maria Leite
CM
Quintana
Silvana Maria
SM
De Sá Rosa E Silva
Ana Carolina J
AC
Nogueira
Antonio Alberto
AA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*