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. 1978 Jul;53(7):540–544. doi: 10.1136/adc.53.7.540

Group B streptococci in pharyngeal aspirates at birth and the early detection of neonatal sepsis.

M P Slack, R T Mayon-White
PMCID: PMC1544991  PMID: 356751

Abstract

The pharyngeal aspirates collected from 400 babies at the time of delivery were examined for the presence of bacteria, especially group B streptococci. Aspirates from 79 babies were found to contain viable bacteria, including 4 with group B streptococci; one of these 4 babies developed streptococcal meningitis within 24 hours. The group B streptococci were seen on a Gram-stained film of the aspirate, and were detectable by coagglutination and countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis within 4 hours and by culture after 24 hours. Examination of pharyngeal aspirates may be of value as a screening test for neonatal sepsis.

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Selected References

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