title: Longitudinal study of group B streptococcal carriage during late pregnancy.
abstract: 152 women were cultured for group B streptococci (GBS) weekly from the 37th week of gestation and at admission to hospital for delivery. Matched rectal, urethral and urine specimens were collected for study (mean 4 times). In the 37th week of gestation, 33 women (22%) harboured GBS in rectal specimens, 28 women (18%) in urethral specimens, 16 women (11%) in urine specimens, and 37 women (24%) in at least one of the 3 specimens. All cultures considered, a total of 46 women (30%) yielded GBS in at least one culture. In the 37th week of gestation, women subsequently found to be GBS colonized at labour (positive in at least one site) had a higher rate of positive cultures in rectal specimens (77%) than in either urethral (67%) or urine specimens (41%). Chronic GBS carriage was more frequent in rectum than in urethra or urine. The results of the present investigation support the gastrointestinal tract as being the predominant source of GBS.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bjerre
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elfström
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forsgren
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008581:Meningitis / Q000382:microbiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014521:Urethra / Q000382:microbiology