Group B streptococcus, or Streptococcus agalactiae, was initially recognised as a cause of puerperal sepsis. Although the organism is still associated with this disease, it has more recently gained notoriety as a significant cause of septicemia, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborn children. Group B streptococci commonly colonize the upper respiratory tract, rectum and vagina. The colonization of group B Streptococcus was investigated in 100 females in the third trimester of their pregnancy by culturing vaginal swabs. The rate of colonization was 4%. It was recommended vaginal swab cultures be used to detect colonization of group B streptococci in females in the third trimestr of pregnancy. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1(1):14-19, 1994]
Key Words : Group B streptococcus, Streptococcus agalactiae, newborn disease, vaginal colonization.
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