[Prevalence of group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization in a sample of 23,312 pregnant women and newborn infants]

We report the prevalence of colonization of Group B Streptococci in a given population referred to a limited area in the north-west of Italy. 23.312 pregnant women were tested. Group B Streptococci have been isolated from genital cultures in 0.18-13.2% (mean 8.18). The prevalence of Group B streptococcal colonization from ear, throat and ocular cultures of newborn infants from colonized mothers was 11.55%. Incidence of infection in neonates has varied from 0 to 2.33% (1.5 per 1000 live births).