Abstract
In a prospective study of maternal genital colonization with Group B streptococci (GBS) at the time of onset of labor, epidemiological data, including ABO blood group were recorded for the 1062 patients studied. 124 (11.7%) of these patients had cervical cultures positive for GBS. A significantly higher incidence of the blood group B was noted in the colonized population compared to the total population studied (28% vs. 16.4% p<.005, X2=8.43, ldf). Estimated risk of being colonized at onset of labor for a woman whose blood group is B was twice that of those with group O or A.
The data was further analyzed with respect to factors influencing the incidence of both the blood group B, i.e. race,and group B streptococcal colonization i.e. absence of antenatal care & preterm labor. Increased incidence of colonization in the unregistered population (37%) and in those delivered at ≤ 32 weeks gestation (53%) vs. 11.7% in the total population studied failed to account for the association between the blood group B and GBS colonization.
The presence of ABO isohemaglutinnins in the cervical secretions has been reported (Gershowitz,Solish,* 1963). On the basis of our findings we postulate a local (cervical) Anti-B antibody interaction with GBS which may suppress colonization.Thus, absence of Anti-B antibody in the cervical secretions of women whose blood group is B, may predispose them to Group B streptococcal colonization.(*Proc.Soc.Exp.Biol.&Med.108-645)
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Regan, J., Chao, S. & James, L. 381 MATERNAL ABO BLOOD GROUP B: A POSSIBLE PREDISPOSING FACTOR TO COLONIZATION WITH GROUP BSTREP TOCOCCI. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 427 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00386
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00386