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Faecal carriage of group B streptococci

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Abstract

A study of 1,138 primarily healthy subjects of various ages and sex was conducted to determine the faecal isolation rate of group B streptococci. Five percent of 284 neonates (⩽5 days old) and 4% of 267 healthy children (1–15 years old) were found to be faecal carriers. Adults were more frequently faecal carriers than children, group B streptococci being isolated in 15% of 361 adults and 11% of 226 pregnant patients. The isolation rate was independent of sex at all ages. Although group B streptococci were found more frequently in rectal than in faecal specimens from pregnant women (p⩽0.001), the isolation rate for faecal specimens could be increased by using a more selective broth. Forty-four percent of strains isolated from faeces of 105 subjects belonged to serotype III, 27% to type Ia, 15% to type Ib, 11% to type II and 3% were nontypeable. The same serotype of group B streptococci was usually present at different sites in each subject.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medical Microbiology, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, S-21401, Malmö, Sweden

    K. M. -S. Persson, L. Elfström & A. Forsgren

  2. Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, S-21401, Malmö, Sweden

    B. Bjerre

  3. Departments of Paediatrics, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, S-21401, Malmö, Sweden

    S. Polberger

Authors
  1. K. M. -S. Persson
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  2. B. Bjerre
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  3. L. Elfström
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  4. S. Polberger
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  5. A. Forsgren
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Persson, K.M.S., Bjerre, B., Elfström, L. et al. Faecal carriage of group B streptococci. Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 5, 156–159 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02013972

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