[Role of B streptococci in perinatal medicine]

Vaginal swabs from 1140 women were investigated for presence of group B-streptococci. In nonpregnant women the carriage rate was 3.3%. During the pregnancy the highest colonisation rate was in the second trimenon. The serotypes were distributed approxmiately the same in both groups of patients, with the exception of types III and R. All strains were sensitive against ampicillin and lincomycin, in 6 cases we found a reduced sensitivity against penicillin. These results are compared with those from other authors and discussed in regard to sepsis and meningitis of the newborn.