title: Group B streptococci in pharyngeal aspirates at birth and the early detection of neonatal sepsis.
abstract: The pharyngeal aspirates collected from 400 babies at the time of delivery were examined for the presence of bacteria, especially group B streptococci. Aspirates from 79 babies were found to contain viable bacteria, including 4 with group B streptococci; one of these 4 babies developed streptococcal meningitis within 24 hours. The group B streptococci were seen on a Gram-stained film of the aspirate, and were detectable by coagglutination and countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis within 4 hours and by culture after 24 hours. Examination of pharyngeal aspirates may be of value as a screening test for neonatal sepsis.
mesh_terms: D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors