[Identification of group B beta hemolytic Streptococcus in infections of adults and children]

The frequency of isolation of group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus was investigated in samples from the skin, genitourinary tract and respiratory tract in adults and children, in 2 periods, 1977-79 and 1984-86. Hydrolysis of sodium hippurate or bile and sensitivity to bacitracin were used to identify the germ. Serologic group was confirmed by coagglutination. The incidence of isolation increased from 6.1% (n = 18) to 28.7% (n = 119) from the first to the second period, ranking second among all S groups. Isolation from blood and from spinal fluid in newborns was observed only in the second period.