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

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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.