Serotyping Group B Streptococci in a Small Community Hospital: An Analysis of Distribution and Site of Isolation

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and site of isolation of different serotypes of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization or infection at a small community hospital.Methods: GBS isolates were obtained from a small community hospital and were then serotyped as la, Ib, II, III, IV, V or nontypeable. Hospital records were reviewed for patient sex, age and pregnancy status as well as the site of GBS isolation.Results: GBS serotypes Ia, III and V were most common and accounted for over 60% of the total number of isolates. Serotype Ia wasmost prevalent in reproductive-agefemales, while serotypesV and IIIwere most prevalent in non-reproductive-age females and males, respectively. Serotype la was most frequent in both pregnant and nonpregnantfemales. Serotype IV was more common in this studypopulation than in those from other locations.Conclusions: The GBS serotype distribution in this small community did not differ significantly from distributions described in larger North American centers. A GBS vaccine designed against multiple serotypes would be protective for most of this population.