INTRODUCTION: Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a source of neonatal infection, colonizes the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of pregnant women. Routine screening for maternal GBS in late pregnancy and consequent intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis have reduced the incidence of early-onset GBS neonatal infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of PCR, compared to cult...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to formulate a statistical model that relates human microflora to probabilities for vaginal colonization by group B Streptococcus (GBS). METHODS Longitudinal observations of total bacterial concentrations at various times during the menstrual cycle were obtained from overtly healthy, non-pregnant, menarcheal women. During each menstrual period and at ap...

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in HIV-infected women contributed to the impairment of their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use on the vaginal Candida spp. isolation in HIV-infected compared to HIV-uninfected women. This cross-sectional study included 178 HIV-infected (HIV group) and 200 HIV-uninfected women (cont...

A selective medium containing Todd-Hewitt broth, sheep blood, nalidixic acid, and gentamicin sulfate was found to enhance significantly the isolation of group B streptococci from vaginal cultures. Preparation of the medium, which is stable for up to 4 weeks at 4 C, is simple and inexpensive. Use of such a medium should facilitate identification of vaginal colonization with group B streptococci.

OBJECTIVE To determine colonization rates of Staphylococcus aureus given the potential for future intervention trials aimed at reducing surgical-site infectious morbidity, and to estimate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates in our patient population. STUDY DESIGN Prospective pilot investigation comprising data from 104 gravidas admitted to an urban labor and delivery unit...

Introduction The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of GBS colonization in pregnant women in a public health service. Methods A study of 496 pregnant women at 35-37 gestational weeks was conducted from September 2011 to March 2014 in 21 municipalities of the 18th Health Region of Paraná State. Vaginal and anorectal samples of each woman were plated on sheep blood agar, and in HPT...

Lactobacillus colonization of the lower female genital tract provides protection from the acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus, and from adverse pregnancy outcomes. While glycogen in vaginal epithelium is thought to support Lactobacillus colonization in vivo, many Lactobacillus isolates cannot utilize glycogen in vitro. This study investigated how...

BACKGROUND Serotype-specific polysaccharide based group B streptococcus (GBS) vaccines are being developed. An understanding of the serotype epidemiology associated with maternal colonization and invasive disease in infants is necessary to determine the potential coverage of serotype-specific GBS vaccines. METHODS Colonizing GBS isolates were identified by vaginal swabbing of mothers during a...

group b streptococci (gbs) or streptococcus agalactiae are members of the normal flora of the female genital tract. gbs normally colonizes the vagina in many women asymptomatically. during labor this organism may infect the newborn, leading to neonatal sepsis and meningitis. this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of group b streptococcus in pregnant women by a rapid and easy culture met...