Typing of Group B Streptococci from the Throat and Urogenital Tract of Females

Abstract

Group B streptococci were isolated from the urogenital tract of 54 of 168 patients (32 %) examined at a gynecological outpatient department. 11 (7 %) of the patients were group B throat carriers. In contrast to the frequency of type III group B streptococci in the urogenital tract (41 % of group B streptococcal carriers) only 1 of 11 strains isolated from the throat belonged to type III. Apart from 1 patient who carried type III streptococci in the urogenital tract, all patients who were both throat and urogenital tract carriers harboured the same type in both sites. Significantly more patients who were only throat carriers of group B streptococci or harboured another type in the throat than in the urogenital tract, harboured lactose-fermenting group B streptococci as compared to patients who were only carriers of group B streptococci in the urogenital tract. These results pointed out the possible existence of “throat-preferring” and “urogenital-preferring” group B streptococci.