[Neonatal infection caused by the beta-hemolytic streptococcus of group B: review]

This review of the literature on the pathogenicity of B group beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection in perinatology first describes the clinical symptomatology of the illness in the newborn and its incidence. One per cent of all babies born to mothers with the infection are seriously affected themselves. Between one and three infants per thousand births die of it. B Group beta-haemolytic streptococcus is, together with E. Coli, the principal cause of neonatal death from infection. The techniques for identifying the bacteria are more reliable when the appropriate transport media and the selected culture media described in the text are used. The different therapies that have been put forward by different authors are described together with their results. In the conclusions reached the essential features that can be used to serve as a guide for the clinician in his choice of preventive or curative therapy are pointed out.