title: Changing patterns of group B streptococcal serotypes associated with human infections.
abstract: One hundred strains of group B streptococci (GBS) isolated from diverse clinical specimens of patients seen in our hospital were subjected to serotyping by an indigenously prepared coagglutination system. Serotype NT/c was the most predominant (24%), followed by Ia (23%), II/c (12%) and Ib (11%). Type Ia was the most predominant in all specimens except genital samples where NT/c was the most predominant. Comparison of the distribution of serotypes identified during 1975-78 with that of the present study showed a great increase in the prevalence of types NT/c, II/c and Ia and a dramatic decline of types III, Ia/c and Ib. Despite the inclusion of reagents for newer serotypes, IV and V two strains were nontypable indicating the prevalence of hitherto unidentified GBS serotypes in our community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Brahmadathan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mathai
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Jesudason
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lalitha
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D015995:Prevalence; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification*