Group B streptococcal carriage among parturients and their neonates in Zaria, Nigeria.

In an epidemiological study of Group B streptococcal (GBS) carriage carried out on 100 mothers and their newborns in Zaria, 14 mothers were found to be vaginal and perineal carriers while 13 infants were found to be colonised at birth. The colonization rate of infants born to colonised mothers was 93%. The results also showed no association between carriage of (GBS) and frequency of coitus, polygamous union, multiparity, low educational status and lack of prenatal care. In terms of morbidity, neither the colonised women nor the infants developed clinical GBS infection. The study also revealed that all the GBS isolated were sensitive to penicillin and resistant to sulphatriad. The findings suggest that although carriage is fairly high in this environment, GBS is not a common cause of perinatal infection.