FREQUENCIES OF STREPTOCOCCI OF GROUPS A, B, C, D AND G IN URETHRA AND CERVIX SWAB SPECIMENS FROM PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED GONOCOCCAL INFECTION

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Abstract
Urethral (male or female) and cervical swab specimens from 526 patients to be investigated for gonococcal infection were examined for streptococci of groups A, B, C, D and G. The overall frequencies of streptococci were group A: 0.6 per cent; B: 19.0 per cent; C: 0.8 per cent; D: 15.0 per cent; and G: 0.6 per cent. 22.3 per cent of the females and 11.7 per cent of the males harboured group B streptococci. 31.7 per cent of 41 patients with gonococcal infection harboured group B streptococci. This frequency is higher (p < 0.05) than those found among the other patients. These findings lend support to the view that group B streptococci in women are spread by sexual intercourse. The frequencies of streptococci group B and D in the males investigated, 11.7 per cent and 9.3 per cent, respectively, are higher than those found by others. Finally, of 81 females with group B streptococci, 45.7 per cent harboured group B streptococci in both urethra and cervix, 48.1 per cent only in urethra and 6.2 per cent only in cervix. Screening of women for group B streptococci should therefore always include urethral swab specimens.