Nosocomial transmission of group B streptococci.
Group B streptococci are an important cause of infant septicemia and meningitis. A prospective study of group B streptococcal colonization in a 300-bed community hospital disclosed rates of 29% of 297 third-trimester women, 37% of 242 newborn infants, and 45% of 22 hospital personnel. Colonized parturients were more frequently black and anemic on admission for delivery. Infant colonization was statistically associated with a positive maternal genital culture, low birthweight, and prematurity. Nosocomial transmission of group B streptococci was strongly suggested by observations that 41% of colonized infants were born to culture-negative women and such infants became colonized later in their hospital stay than did colonized infants born to colonized women. Furthermore, hospital personnel working in the labor-delivery and nursery areas had a significantly higher prevalence of the organism than did personnel from other areas. Clearly, more information is needed about the epidemiology of group B streptococcal disease before appropriate and rational control measures can be recommended.
D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification