title: Streptococcal puerperal sepsis and obstetric infections: a historical perspective.
abstract: The streptococcus, responsible for inestimable morbidity and mortality among parturient women since the 16th century, is no longer a significant cause of puerperal infection. Although the problem of the group A streptococcus in obstetrics has abated, the obstetrician is now confronted with the group B streptococcus, which is a major cause of fetal, neonatal, and maternal morbidity and mortality. Some historical insight into the infectious disease problems encountered by obstetric practitioners during the last four centuries allows comparison and contrast between the historic scourge of childbed fever and present day obstetric infections.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents