CHANGING PATTERNS OF GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCAL SEROTYPES ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN INFECTIONS

One hundred strains of group B streptococcl (GBS) isolated from divers e clinical specimens of patients seen in our hospital were subjected t o serotyping by an indigenously prepared coagglutination system, Serot ype NT/c was the most predominant (24%), followed by Is (23%), II/c (1 2%) and Ib (11%), Type Is was the most predominant In all specimens ex cept genital samples where NT/c was the most predominant. Comparison o f the distribution of serotypes identified during 1975-78 with that of the present study showed a great increase in the prevalence of types NT/c, II/c and Is and a dramatic decline of types III; Ia/c and Ib. De spite the inclusion of reagents for newer serotypes, IV and V two stra ins were nontypable indicating the prevalence of hitherto unidentified GBS serotypes in our community.