Open AccessVaginal‐rectal colonization with group A streptococci in late pregnancy
Author(s) -
Mead Philip B.,
Winn Washington C.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.656
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1098-0997
pISSN - 1064-7449
DOI - 10.1002/1098-0997(2000)8:5<217::aid-idog1021>3.0.co;2-1
Subject(s) - colonization , group b , group a , pregnancy , medicine , streptococcus , obstetrics , gynecology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , genetics
Objective To determine the vaginal‐rectal colonization rate with group A streptococci in late pregnancy. Methods All patients delivering at a northern New England hospital over a 38 month period had 35–37 week vaginal‐rectal swabs cultured for group A and group B streptococci, using selective media and slide agglutination. Results Six thousand nine hundred forty‐four screening cultures were obtained. Among these 1,393 were positive for group B streptococci and 2 for group A streptococci, yielding colonization rates of 20.1% and 0.03%, respectively. Conclusions Vaginal‐rectal colonization with group A streptococci is rare, arguing against the need for establishing group A streptococcal screening programs in pregnancy. An approach for managing this uncommon finding is presented. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 8:217–219, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.