Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter March 18, 2010

Genital group B streptococcus carrier rate and serotype distribution in Korean pregnant women: implications for group B streptococcal disease in Korean neonates

Joon-Seok Hong, Chang Won Choi, Kyoung-Un Park, Shi Nae Kim, Hyun Ju Lee, Hye Ryun Lee, Eun Hwa Choi, Kyo Hoon Park, Chang Suk Suh, Beyong Il Kim, Seok Tae Choi and Sung Su Kim
From the journal
https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm.2010.050

Abstract

Aims: We investigated the genital group B streptococcus (GBS) carrier rate in Korean pregnant women and the serotype distribution in face of the recent increase of late-onset GBS disease in Korea.

Methods: GBS screening was performed on 4045 healthy pregnant women at 35–37 weeks' gestation. In case of positive GBS culture, serotyping was performed by using GBS typing antisera.

Results: When both vaginal and anorectal culture were performed, the GBS carrier rate was 10.0% (n=121/1205), which is the highest rate ever reported in Korea. Type III was more common (36%), and type Ia (13%) and Ib (7%) were less prevalent.

Conclusions: Increased maternal genital GBS carrier rate and difference in serotype distribution pattern of GBS may be related to the recent increase of late-onset GBS disease in Korea.

Keywords: Group B streptococcus; neonatal sepsis; serotype
Corresponding author: Chang Won Choi Department of Pediatrics Seoul National University Bundang Hospital 166 Gumiro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si Gyeonggi-do 463-707 Korea Tel.: +82 31 787 7286 Fax: +82 31 787 4054
Received: 2009-7-22
Revised: 2009-11-22
Accepted: 2009-12-15
Published Online: 2010-03-18
Published Online: 2010-03-18
Published in Print: 2010-07-01

©2010 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York

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Volume 38 Issue 4

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