Abstract
Studies on the natural history of group B streptococcal (GBS) infection, initiated in 1977, have revealed an attack rate of neonatal sepsis of 4/1000 live births. Intrauterine and intrapartum acquired infections were demonstrated; sources of late onset infection remain less certain. We now report a longitudinal study of prenatal carriage involving 2541 women enrolled over a 3 year period, from whom anal and vaginal cultures were taken. Carrier rates, according to culture site, were: anal only, 17%; vaginal only, 4%; anal and vaginal, 15%, with an overall rate of 36%. Overall rates calculated yearly for 1977, 1978 and 1979, were 37%, 36%, 33%, respectively. The serotype distribution (3 yr total) was: Type III (31%); II (24%); Ia (23%); Ib (10%) and lc (6%). Among 310 instances of simultaneous anal-vaginal carriage, serotype concordance was 85%. Further analysis of data by positive site for 913 carriers revealed the importance of the gut as a reservoir for GBS. 89% had positive GBS anal cultures (± pos vaginal) compared to 52% with positive GBS vaginal cultures (± pos anal). The gut is the likely source for birth canal colonization, and may also be an important source of GBS in infants who develop late onset disease.
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Dillon, H., Gray, E., Pass, M. et al. 464 PREHATAL CARRIAGE OF GBS: IMPORTANCE OF THE GUT AS A RESERVOIR. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 517 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00477
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00477