Table 2 Characterisation of 30 group B streptococcal isolates from neonates with invasive infection by polysaccharide capsular type and cell surface expression of proteins.

Capsular type (no of isolates)	Surface protein reacting with antibodies to
	α (n = 14)	Rib (n = 14)	None* (n = 2)
Ia (4)	4	–	–
Ib (6)	6	–	–
II (3)	2	1	–
III (7)	–	6	1
IV (2)	2	–	–
V (6)	–	5†	1
NT (2)	–	2	–

*Isolates that did not react with rabbit antibodies specific for protein α or Rib.

†These type V strains probably expressed the R28 protein, which cross reacts with Rib and has very similar structure.28,32 See text.

NT, Not typable.