Whole genome sequence based capsular typing and antimicrobial resistance prediction of Group B streptococcal isolates from colonized pregnant women in Nigeria

Abstract Background Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is one of the major bacterial pathogens responsible for neonatal sepsis. Whole genome sequencing has, in recent years, emerged as a reliable tool capsular typing and antimicrobial resistance prediction. This study characterized vaginal rectal isolates Group obtained from pregnant women Port Harcourt, Nigeria using whole-genome sequence-based approach. Results Capsular types Ia, Ib, II, III, IV V were detected among 43 sequenced. Twelve sequence (STs) identified, with ST19 ( n = 9, 27.3 %) ST486 5, 15.2 most frequent non-duplicated isolates. Of alpha-like proteins (alp) Alp1 was prevalent 11 (33.3 Macrolide lincosamide determinants present 15 (45.5 isolates; ermB 1 (3 %), ermTR 7 (21.2 isolates, lnu gene 6 (18.2 mef identified 3 (9.1 Resistance GBS to erythromycin clindamycin (predicted presence erm or genes) found be 30.3 % 24.2 %, respectively. All predicted resistant tetracycline only tetM identified. Fluoroquinolone-resistance conferring substitutions gyrA + par C 9 (27.3 chloramphenicol aac6’-aph2 %). Conclusions The data available whole these offers small but insightful description common serotypes features within colonizing Nigeria.