Group B streptococci in venereal disease clinic patients

The isolation rates of group B streptococci for 457 men and 300 women attending a venereal disease clinic were 16-4 and 20-6% respectively. The frequencies were significantly increased by using a selective medium and by taking specimens from the female urethra as well as the cervix. In contrast to gonorrhoea the presence of group B streptococci could not be related to promiscuity. In addition, the isolation of group B streptococci was found to be independent of a concomitant gonococcal infection. This study indicates that group B streptococci have little relation to the clinical signs and symptoms of genital infection, such as dysuria, discharge and inflammatory mucosal reaction.