The Frequency of Streptococcus agalactiae in the Vaginal Secretions of Women with Abortion at Gynecology and Infertility Medical Centers in Isfahan City

Abstract

Background: Vaginal infections of mothers during pregnancy can be a threat to the health of the fetus and also increase the chance of abortion. This study aimed to investigate the frequency distribution of Streptococcus agalactiae in the vaginal secretions of women with a history of abortion compared to the control group. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, a total of 220 samples of vaginal secretions from women who had abortion and controls were collected. Bacterial isolates were identified using culture and biochemical methods. Then, the antibiogram test of the isolates was performed using the disk diffusion method in Kirby-Bauer agar. Findings: In the present study, 20 isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae (3.64 in the control group and 14.54 in the abortion group) were isolated from vaginal secretions samples. The isolates had the highest sensitivity to the antibiotics Ceftriaxone (30 μg) and Vancomycin (30 μg) and the highest resistance to Clindamycin (2 μg) and Tetracycline (30 μg). Based on the results of the demographic characteristics of the patients, the highest frequency of abortion belonged to blood groups A+ and B+. Urinary tract infection in 55, vitamin D deficiency in 60, and stress led to abortion in 75 of women infected with S. agalactiae. Conclusion: S. agalactiae was observed in the vagina of women with a history of abortion, 3.5 times more common than healthy women. Factors such as the high stress of patients, deficiency of vitamin D levels, and frequent urinary infections during pregnancy can lead to an increase in the risk of abortion in women. The highest resistances were observed in Beta-lactam (Penicillin), Macrolides (Erythromycin), Lincosamides (Clindamycin), and Tetracycline antibiotic groups. © 2024 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.