Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women: phenotypic and genotypic characters.
OBJECTIVE
Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) is considered a leading cause of neonatal sepsis. We evaluated the phenotypic and genotypic characters of 73 S. agalactiae strains isolated from different women at the 35-37 weeks of pregnancy.


METHODS
Isolates were characterized by serotyping (direct agglutination) and by pulsed-field-gel-electrophoresis (PFGE). Resistance to antimicrobials (penicillin, macrolides, lincosamides, quinolones and tetracyclines) was assessed.


RESULTS
All isolates were serologically typeable and ascribable to one of the six tested serotypes (Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, and V) and many strains of the same serotype were genetically heterogeneous. Strains belonging to serotypes III, V and Ia were the most prevalent and the most resistant to macrolides.


CONCLUSIONS
This work reports GBS colonization rate (about 18%) and the prevalent capsular serotypes among pregnant women in Turin (Italy). Penicillin and erythromycin can be still considered the first and second choice drugs for prophylaxis and treatment of early-onset GBS infections in our district. The relevance of phenotypic and genotypic characterization of strains to monitor and control Streptococcus agalactiae infections is briefly discussed.
Savoia
D
D
Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, at S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano (TO), Italy. dianella.savoia@unito.it
Gottimer
C
C
Crocilla'
C
C
Zucca
M
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents