A rapid genotyping test for the simultaneous detection and subtyping of group B streptococci: the frequency of molecular subtypes of group B streptococci in Korea.

摘要

Group B streptococci (GBS), Streptococcus agalactiae, are a major bacterial pathogen in newborns, pregnant women, the elderly, and imrnunocompromised patients. GBS infection is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis, especially in newborns. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended universal prenatal screening for vaginal and rectal GBS colonization for all pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation, so that infected women can undergo prophylactic antibiotic treatment [1]. GBS is divided into several different subtypes based on capsular polysaccharide (CPS) composition. Recently, some studies have reported that antimicrobial susceptibility results vary according to the GBS subtype [2, 3]. Information on the distribution of GBS subtypes will allow more accurate surveillance and will be essential for the development of protective GBS vaccines [4]. Thus, the detection and subtyping of GBS pathogens is important for the treatment and prevention of GBS infection.