Expression of virulence genes in group B streptococcus isolated from symptomatic pregnant women with term and preterm delivery

Wahid, Hanan Hamimi and Mustapha Rounal, Puteri Farah Diba and Selvakumaran, Arvind R. and Anahar, Fatin Najihah and Mustafa Mahmoud, Mohammed Imad Al-Deen and Alias, Norsyuhada and Kamarudin, Norhidayah and Baharudin, Roesnita and Husin, Roziah and Ahmad Mustafa, Ahmad Muzamir and Ismail, Hamizah (2022) Expression of virulence genes in group B streptococcus isolated from symptomatic pregnant women with term and preterm delivery. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology. pp. 1-10. ISSN 1823-8262 E-ISSN 2231-7538 (In Press)

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Abstract

Aims: Maternal vaginal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization is considered a risk factor for preterm delivery and, consequently, neonatal infections. Previous studies have portrayed the important roles of these virulence factors, including hemolytic pigment, hyaluronidase (HylB), serine-rich protein (Srr) and bacterial surface adhesion of GBS (BsaB) in mediating GBS colonization and intrauterine ascending infection, causing preterm delivery. This study aimed to investigate the association between mRNA expression of virulence genes in GBS isolates obtained from symptomatic pregnant women and preterm delivery. Methodology and results: GBS isolates were obtained from high vaginal swabs of 40 symptomatic pregnant women of gestational age of less than 37 weeks. RNA was extracted from these GBS isolates and RT-qPCR was performed to determine the relative mRNA expression of GBS virulence genes, including CylE (encode enzyme required for the biosynthesis of the hemolytic pigment), HylB, Srr-1 and BsaB. Socio-demographic details and obstetric history were not found to be associated with the delivery outcomes of these women. The GBS isolates from symptomatic pregnant women who delivered prematurely showed a higher expression of CylE gene and a trend towards an elevated expression of HylB gene compared to women with term delivery. While the expression of both Srr-1 and BsaB genes was similar between symptomatic pregnant women who had term or preterm delivery. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The results suggest that following vaginal colonization, both CylE and HylB genes are likely to contribute to intrauterine ascending infection and inflammation, leading to preterm delivery in humans. These virulence factors may be targeted for the pre-clinical stages of vaccine development or therapeutic intervention.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Group B Streptococcus, vaginal colonization, ascending intrauterine infection, preterm delivery
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Biomedical Science (Effective:1st July 2011) Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Basic Medical Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Obstetric & Gynecology Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Pathology & Lab Medicine
Depositing User:	Mrs Norsyafini Ahmad Marzuki
Date Deposited:	14 Jun 2022 08:45
Last Modified:	14 Jun 2022 08:47
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/98295

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