Association between colonization with group B streptococci during pregnancy and preterm delivery among Danish women.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the relationship between group B streptococcal colonization and preterm delivery.


METHODS
In this prospective study at a single hospital in Odense, Denmark, cervicovaginal cultures were obtained at < or = 24 weeks' gestation from all the women, at delivery from women with preterm deliveries, and from a random sample of women delivering at term.


RESULTS
In 2846 singleton births, there was no significant association between group B streptococcal colonization at <or = 24 weeks' gestation and preterm birth. After adjustment for the risk factors for preterm delivery, more women with preterm delivery (12/84, 14%) were colonized at delivery with group B streptococci than women with term deliveries (22/300, 7%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.8). Group B streptococcal colonization at < or = 24 weeks' gestation and at delivery was significantly less likely to occur in the presence of normal vaginal flora.


CONCLUSIONS
Group B streptococcal colonization at delivery, but not at < or = 24 weeks' gestation, was associated with preterm delivery.
Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, USA.
D R
DR
Feikin
P
P
Thorsen
S
S
Zywicki
M
M
Arpi
J G
JG
Westergaard
A
A
Schuchat
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents