[Role of group B streptococcus serotype V in materno-fetal infections].
BACKGROUND
The classification of serogroup B streptococci in serotype is based on the structural differences of capsular polysaccharides and on presence or absence of a protein c antigen. They are classified as Ia, Ia/c, Ib/c, II, II/c, III, IV and V. The serotype V, unknown in 1970, seems emerging, and is placed in third position of frequency in some American studies. We have therefore decided to evaluate its frequency in Paris.


METHODS
In a population of 137 pregnant women and 60 neonates carrying streptococcus of serogroup B, the serotype was systematically determined using the test "Group B streptococcus serotyping test" (Dako, Danemark).


RESULTS
In the pregnant women population, 12% of the isolated strains were of serotype V, 26% of serotype III, 15% of serotype II, 14% of serotype Ia, and 21% could not be typed. In neonates, it represented 15% of the isolates and took place after the serotype Ia (20%), the serotype III (18%) and the serotype II (15%). None of the neonates had early- or late-onset disease. They were only colonized. Only one mother exhibited, during the per-partum, a positive blood culture with a streptococcus group B of serotype V.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm, in Paris, the importance of this serotype previously observed in foreign studies. It represents 11 to 15% of the isolated streptococcus group B in the neonates and can cause early or late-onset disease. However, larger studies are needed to evaluate the exact risk of pathology for the serotype V and its significance in neonatal infectious disease.
Le Thomas
I
I
Service de microbiologie, hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris, France.
Lepercq
J
J
Bergeret
M
M
Francoual
C
C
Raymond
J
J
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010297:Paris; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification*
Place du streptocoque B sérotype V dans les infections maternofoetales.