GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCAL COLONIZATION IN A DEVELOPING-COUNTRY - ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE AND SOCIOECONOMIC-FACTORS

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an important infectious organism in pre gnant women and their neonates. Although excellent data are available from the developing world, little epidemiologic information is availab le from Latin America. To evaluate the prevalence of GBS colonization in a developing country, a prospective study was performed in Lima, Pe ru. We found a relatively low prevalence of GBS colonization of 6.0% i n parturient women and 10.6% in nonpregnant women. No association of G BS colonization was made with previously identified risk factors such as age, parity, or birth control practices. We did find a positive ass ociation between GBS colonization and chlamydial carriage (P < 0.05). We also report an even distribution of GBS serotypes: Ia/c = 35%, IIc = 18%, III = 29%, and V = 18%. Our study provides evidence for a low p revalence of GBS maternal carriage in this urban Latin American popula tion.