Colonization with group B streptococci in girls under 16 years of age.
Cultures from the vagina, pharynx, and anal canal of 100 healthy girls, 2 months through 15 years of age, were examined for the presence of group B streptococci. Of the 100 participants, 20% were colonized at one or more of these three sites. Pharyngeal colonization was detected in 15% of the girls under 11 years of age and in 5% of those over 11 years of age. Colonization at anogenital sites were observed in 19% of participants under 3 years of age, in 25% of those 11 years of age and older, and in only 4% of those between the ages of 3 and 10 years (P less than .025). The concentration of serum antibody directed against the polysaccharide capsular antigen isolated from type III, group B Streptococcus appeared, in part, to be related to increasing age.
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000209:etiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial