Characterization of bovine and human group B streptococci isolated in Turkey

In the study, group B streptococci (GBS) isolated from bovines and humans in and around Van, eastern Turkey, were serotyped, and their haemagglutination and lectin-agglutination properties were also determined. This study is the first epidemiological survey of GBS serotypes performed in Turkey. A total of 148 GBS isolates, 76 from bovine milk and 72 from women attending a maternity polyclinic, were examined by co-agglutination, slide haemagglutination and slide lectin-agglutination tests. By the co-agglutination test, 34 (44.7%) of bovine isolates and 49 (68%) of human isolates could be serotyped. In bovine isolates, type VII (11.8%), III (10.5%), Ic (6.5%) and VIII (3.9%) were the most frequently detected serotypes. The most frequent human serotypes were Ic (33.3%), IV (8.3%), VIII (6.9%), V (5.5%) and R (5.5%). In the haemagglutination test using rabbit erythrocytes, 23 (33.3%) bovine and 15 (23.4%) human isolates were found to be positive. The bovine GBS isolates showed a significant positive agglutination reaction with Dolichos biflorus lectin (30.4 %), whereas the human GBS isolates were found to be positive for Arachis hypogea (18.8%) and Canavalia ensiformis (37.5%) lectins. The treatment of GBS with trypsin was also found to be important for the demonstration of the haemagglutination and lectin-agglutination properties of GBS. The results of the study provide data on serotype distribution and the formulation of a possible GBS vaccine in Turkey, and the lectin-agglutination tests may also be useful for differentiating bovine and human GBS strains.