[Examination of Capsule Genotypes, Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles and Biofilm Forming Abilities of Group B Streptococcus Isolates Isolated from Pregnant Women].

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae is a pathogen that causes infections during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic sensitivity profiles, capsule genotypes and biofilm forming capabilities of GBS isolates obtained from pregnant women . The study included 252 pregnant women who applied to Adana Gynecology and Children's Hospital between 2018 and 2023. The disk diffusion method was used to test antibiotic susceptibility. The multiplex polymerase chain reaction method was used to examine capsule genotypes (Ia-IX) and the genes responsible for resistance to erythromycin (ermB, ermTR, and mefA), clindamycin (linB) and tetracycline (tetM and tetO). The polystyrene microplate method was used to determine the presence of biofilm production. As a result of the study; It was observed that GBS isolates consisted of 44.8% III, 29% Ib, 20.6% Ia, 2.4% V, 1.6% IV, 1.2% II and 0.4% VI genotypes, respectively. All of the isolates were found be susceptible to cefotaxime, ampicillin, vancomycin, penicillin, and linezolid; however, 42.5% of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline, 33.3% to erythromycin and 24.2% to clindamycin. Erythromycin and tetracycline resistance genes were mostly detected in the capsule III genotype. It was observed that 6.3% of GBS isolates produced strong biofilm, 56% produced moderate biofilm and 37.7% produced weak biofilm. In the study, the distribution of capsule genotypes and changes in antibiotic susceptibility profiles of GBS isolates over the years were revealed. The results of this study contributed to the epidemiological studies on GBS infections by providing data.