PEDIATRICS Vol. 60 No. 4 October 1977, pp. 473-476
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Colonization With Group B Streptococci in Girls Under 16 Years of Age

Margaret R. Hammerschlag, M.D., Carol J. Baker, M.D., Susan Alpert, B.A., Dennis L. Kasper, M.D., Ingrid Rosner, M.D., Pauline Thurston, Bette J. Webb, A.B. and William M. McCormack, M.D.

From the Channing Laboratory, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston; the Departments of Pediatrics, Medical Microbiology, and Medicine, Boston City Hospital; the Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine; and the Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston

Cultures from the vagina, pharynx, and anal canal of 100 healthy girls, 2 months through 15 years of age, were examined for the presence of group B streptococci. Of the 100 participants, 20% were colonized at one or more of these three sites. Pharyngeal colonization was detected in 15% of the girls under 11 years of age and in 5% of those over 11 years of age. Colonization at anogenital sites was observed in 19% of participants under 3 years of age, in 25% of those 11 years of age and older, and in only 4% of those between the ages of 3 and 10 years (P < .025). The concentration of serum antibody directed against the polysaccharide capsular antigen isolated from type III, group B Streptococcus appeared, in part, to be related to increasing age.

Key Words: GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI • COLONIZATION • INFECTION • ANTIBODY

Received for publication Apr 4, 1977; Accepted Jun 17, 1977.