Comparison of DNA dot blot hybridization and lancefield capillary precipitin methods for group B streptococcal capsular typing.

ABSTRACT: Group B streptococci (GBS) (Streptococcus agalactiae) are a major cause of sepsis and meningitis in neonates and infants and of invasive disease in pregnant women, nonpregnant, presumably immunocompromised adults, and the elderly. Nine GBS serotypes based on capsular polysaccharide antigens have been described. The serotype distributions among invasive and colonizing isolates differ between pediatric and adult populations and have changed over time. Thus, periodic monitoring of GBS serotype distributions is necessary to ensure the proper formulation and application of an appropriate GBS vaccine for human use and to detect the emergence of novel serotypes. Since the mid-1990s, the proportion of GBS isolates that are nontypeable by standard serologic methods has increased, creating a need fo

SUBMITTER: Borchardt SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC321726 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature