Serotyping group B streptococci in a small community hospital: an analysis of distribution and site of isolation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and site of isolation of different serotypes of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization or infection at a small community hospital. METHODS: GBS isolates were obtained from a small community hospital and were then serotyped as la, Ib, II, III, IV, V or nontypeable. Hospital records were reviewed for patient sex, age and pregnancy status as well as the site of GBS isolation. RESULTS: GBS serotypes Ia, III and V were most common and accounted for over 60% of the total number of isolates. Serotype Ia was most prevalent in reproductive-age females, while serotypes V and III were most prevalent in non-reproductive-age females and males, respectively. Serotype la was most frequent in both pregnant and nonpregnant females. Serotype IV was more common in this study population than in those from other locations. CONCLUSIONS: The GBS serotype distribution in this small community did not differ significantly from distributions described in larger North American centers. A GBS vaccine designed against multiple serotypes would be protective for most of this population.