A contribution to the research of infection of cows and humans with Streptococcus agalactiae.

In the small area of eight alpine villages in Slovenia 159 cows and 113 persons from 34 family-farms on Streptococcus agalactiae (Str. agal.) were examined. From the milk of 35 cows (22%) from 21 farms and from the throat and urine of 17 persons (15%) from 14 farms Str. agal. was isolated. Identical serotypes of Str. agal. were established on the farms, where infected cows and infected persons were detected: in cows serotypes II and III and in persons serotypes II, III and R. In persons from the farms, where the cows were negative, other serotypes were found: Ib, Ic and II. In 12 persons Str. agal. was isolated from urine, in 3 persons from the throat and in 2 persons from the urine and throat. All positive persons were without visible clinical symptoms. We suggest, that one of the ways of infection with Str. agal. in humans is probably a direct route with infected milk or from the infected cows.