The epidemiology of vaginal colonisation with group B streptococci in a sexually transmitted disease clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is sexually transmitted and whether colonisation with GBS could be related to vaginal symptoms or signs.


METHODS
In 432 consecutive female patients visiting a Rotterdam STD clinic a structured sexual and gynaecological history was taken. An extensive search was done for sexually transmitted diseases, bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidosis. A vaginal swab was taken for bacterial culture. A case-control study was performed on a subset of data.


RESULTS
Twelve percent of patients were colonised with GBS. No significant correlation was found between sexual behaviour variables and GBS colonisation. Vaginal colonisation with GBS was not correlated with vaginal signs or symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, vaginal colonisation with GBS was not correlated with any of the epidemiological variables previously reported. Sexual contact does not seem to be the principal way of transmitting GBS. Our findings confirm the general opinion that vaginal colonisation with GBS usually does not cause any vaginal symptoms.
Honig
Erik
E
Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Mouton
Johan W
JW
van der Meijden
Willem I
WI
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000254:growth & development*; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology