Predominance of serotype V and frequency of erythromycin resistance in Streptococcus agalactiae in Ohio.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to test the serotype distribution and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of group B Streptococcus from three Ohio regions in comparison to other areas of the United States.


METHODS
Three hundred forty-nine group B Streptococcus isolates from three Ohio hospitals were serotyped specifically, and disk diffusion was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility.


RESULTS
Serotype V was isolated most frequently (27%); major types Ia, Ib, II, and III had frequencies of 18%, 9%, 11%, and 17%, respectively. Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance was 12% (n = 200 isolates) and 8% (n = 49 isolates), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence shift of resistant serotype V group B streptococci in Ohio reflects regional increases and suggests that alternative therapies for patients who are allergic to penicillin may be inadequate.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Irvine Hall, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
Andrew
A
Croak
George
G
Abate
Kenneth
K
Goodrum
Malcolm
M
Modrzakowski
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio; D011247:Pregnancy; D012703:Serotyping; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002981:Clindamycin; D004917:Erythromycin