title: Antibiotic elimination of group-B streptococci in urine in prevention of preterm labour.
abstract: The presence of group-B streptococci in the urine of pregnant women seems to be associated with preterm labour. Urine samples from 4122 women at 27-31 weeks' gestation were examined for bacteria. Group-B streptococci were found in the urine of 69 women. In a double-blind, controlled study these patients were given either penicillin (10(6) IU three times daily for 6 days; 37 patients) or placebo (32 patients). The rates of primary rupture of the membranes (11% v 53%; p less than 0.001) and preterm labour (5.4% v 38%; p less than 0.002) were significantly lower in the penicillin group than in the placebo group. These results suggest that treatment and follow-up to prevent recolonisation in pregnant women with group-B streptococci in the urine may reduce the frequency of preterm labour in these patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects*; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D000667:Ampicillin