Maternal group B streptococcal (GBS) genital tract colonization at term in women who have asymptomatic GBS bacteriuria.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate of positive group B streptococcus (GBS) cultures at 35-37 weeks gestation in women who have first trimester asymptomatic GBS bacteriuria.


METHODS
Pregnant women with asymptomatic first trimester GBS bacteriuria had genital cultures for GBS performed at 35-37 weeks gestational age. Serotyping was performed by the standard Lancefield capillary precipitin method.


RESULTS
Fifty-three women with positive urine cultures had genital cultures performed at 35-37 weeks. Sixteen of the 53 (30.2%; 95% confidence interval: 18.4-44.3%) third trimester vaginal cultures were positive for GBS. Five of eight (63%) of the women with typable urine serotypes had the same typable serotype in the third trimester genital culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Genital tract cultures at 35-37 weeks for GBS correlate poorly with first trimester asymptomatic GBS bacteriuria. Recommendations for GBS prophylaxis in labor in women who have first trimester asymptomatic GBS bacteriuria should be investigated further and reconsidered.
McKenna
David S
DS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA. david.mckenna@wpafb.af.mil
Matson
Scott
S
Northern
Ike
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008423:Maternal Age; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014626:Vaginal Smears