[Colonization of the pregnant woman and the newborn by group B streptococcus: therapeutic and preventive implications].

In a search for group B streptococci, vagina and urethra of 196 pregnant women entering the delivery room were cultured using a selective medium. Sixteen (8.2%) were positive. Fifteen (15%) of 101 nonpregnant women cultured similarly during a clinical consultation were positive. Esogastric aspiration fluid of 199 neonates from the former group of women was also cultured: 8 (4.0%) were positive. Thus, maternal genital colonization was accompanied by neonatal contamination in 7 of 16 cases (43%). Typing of the streptococci revealed identity between all maternal and neonatal isolates tested. These values are comparable with those obtained in other countries. Their epidemiological implications and the prophylaxis and therapy of the neonatal disease are discussed.