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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Frequency of antimicrobial resistance among invasive and colonizing Group B streptococcal isolates
Stephanie M Borchardt1, Joan H DeBusscher, Patricia A Tallman
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. sborchar@idph.state.il.us
Background:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains susceptible to penicillin, however, resistance to second-line antimicrobials, clindamycin and erythromycin, has increased since 1996. We describe the age-specific antibiotic susceptibility profile and capsular type distribution among invasive and colonizing GBS strains.
Methods:
We tested 486 invasive GBS isolates from individuals of all ages collected by a Wisconsin surveillance system between 1998 and 2002 and 167 colonizing strains collected from nonpregnant college students during 2001 in Michigan. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion or Etest and capsular typing was performed using DNA dot blot hybridization
Results:
20.0% (97/486) of invasive and 40.7% (68/167) of colonizing isolates were resistant to clindamycin (P < .001) and 24.5% (119/486) of invasive and 41.9% (70/167) of colonizing isolates were resistant to erythromycin (P < .001). Similarly, 19.8% (96/486) of invasive and 38.3% (64/167) of colonizing isolates were resistant to both antimicrobial agents (P < .001). 29.4% (5/17) of invasive isolates from persons 18-29 years of age and 24.3% (17/70) of invasive isolates from persons 30-49 years of age were resistant to clindamycin. Similarly, 35.3% (6/17) of invasive isolates from persons 18-29 years of age and 31.4% (22/70) of invasive isolates from persons 30-49 years of age were resistant to erythromycin. 34.7% (26/75) of invasive isolates from persons < 1 year of age were capsular type Ia, whereas capsular type V predominated among isolates from adults.
Conclusion:
Clindamycin and erythromycin resistance rates were high among isolates colonizing nonpregnant college students and invasive GBS isolates, particularly among the colonizing isolates. Susceptibility profiles were similar by age although the proportion of clindamycin and erythromycin resistance among invasive isolates was highest among persons 18-49 years of age. Increasing antimicrobial resistance has implications for GBS disease treatment and intrapartum prophylaxis among penicillin intolerant patients.
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) resistance to clindamycin and erythromycin is high in both invasive and colonizing strains, especially in college students. This increasing antimicrobial resistance impacts GBS treatment and prophylaxis for penicillin-intolerant individuals.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains susceptible to penicillin.
- However, resistance to clindamycin and erythromycin has increased since 1996.
- This study examines age-specific antibiotic susceptibility and capsular type distribution in GBS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of invasive and colonizing Group B Streptococcus (GBS) strains.
- To analyze the distribution of capsular types among these GBS isolates.
- To assess age-specific resistance patterns to clindamycin and erythromycin.
Main Methods:
- Tested 486 invasive GBS isolates (Wisconsin, 1998-2002) and 167 colonizing strains (Michigan, 2001).
- Performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disk diffusion or Etest.
- Conducted capsular typing via DNA dot blot hybridization.
Main Results:
- High resistance rates observed: 20.0% invasive and 40.7% colonizing isolates resistant to clindamycin; 24.5% invasive and 41.9% colonizing isolates resistant to erythromycin.
- Colonizing isolates showed significantly higher resistance to both clindamycin and erythromycin compared to invasive isolates.
- Invasive isolates from persons aged 18-49 years exhibited the highest proportion of clindamycin and erythromycin resistance. Capsular type Ia predominated in infants, while type V was common in adults.
Conclusions:
- Clindamycin and erythromycin resistance rates are notably high in both colonizing and invasive GBS isolates.
- Age-specific resistance patterns indicate a higher prevalence among adults aged 18-49 years.
- Rising antimicrobial resistance poses challenges for GBS disease management and intrapartum prophylaxis in penicillin-allergic patients.
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