Group B streptococci in pharyngeal aspirates at birth and the early detection of neonatal sepsis.

Abstract

The pharyngeal aspirates collected from 400 babies at the time of delivery were examined for the presence of bacteria, especially group B streptococci. Aspirates from 79 babies contained viable bacteria, including 4 with group B streptococci; one of these 4 babies developed streptococcal meningitis within 24 h. The group B streptococci were seen on a Gram-stained film of the aspirate, and were detectable by coagglutination and countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis within 4 h and by culture after 24 h. Examination of pharyngeal aspirates may be of value as a screening test for neonatal sepsis.