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 were found to contain viable bacteria, including 4 with group B streptococci; one of these 4 babies developed streptococcal meningitis within 24 hours. The group B streptococci were seen on a Gram-stained film of the asp...

Direct identification of group B streptococci from a selective broth medium was performed with the Phadebact streptococcus test to determine the feasibility of this technique for early detection of streptococcal colonization. Of 124 clinical isolates, 122 (98.4%) were correctly identified in less than 24 h from the selective broth medium, whereas standard cultures from blood agar plates identif...

The data presented in this paper establish the finding that multiple specific protective antibodies exist in rabbits in response to immunization with Group B streptococci. The summary in Table I indicates the serological types into which Group B streptococci have been divided on the basis of their antigenic composition. This classification is dependent upon passive protection of mice with antib...

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.

Streptococci from clinical isolates were studied for their ability to produce pigment in stab cultures in Columbia agar. Serological grouping of these organisms was done by counterimmunoelectrophoresis using Burroughs-Wellcome antisera. In this group of isolates, 66 of the 68 organisms grouped as B by serological testing produced pigment in the Columbia agar stab cultures. Pigment was not produ...

Antisera raised in rabbits against two nontypable group B streptococci, which were not agglutinable in a specific group B antiserum, were tested with acid extracts of 78 nontypable human group B streptococci. One antiserum (12351) reacted with 15 strains, and the other (7271) reacted with only 2 strains. Antiserum to Wilkinson's strain SS 1169 (NT 1) reacted with three strains. Antiserum agains...

objectives: probiotic approaches are being considered to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms and are an alternative and promising way to combat infections by using harmless bacteria to displace pathogenic microorganisms. the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of commercially available freeze dried powdered probiotics on mutans streptococci count among 12-15 year-old indian scho...

A new coagglutination kit consisting of a plastic slide with dried antibody-coated staphylococci was evaluated for the grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci of groups A, B, C, and G. The test was compared with the classical precipitation test, using hot formamide antigen extracts with 224 strains of groups A, B, C, and G streptococci. An agreement of 100% was found between the new coagglutina...

The incidence of neonatal septicaemia caused by group B streptococci in our hospital during 1980-6 was 9 1/10 000 births, which is three times higher than the average rate in the United Kingdom.2 Despite this, mortality during this period was only 5% (one death in 20 cases), which is one seventh the national average of 36%1; we ascribe this to the early antibiotic treatment of neonates with tac...