[Perinatal Streptococcus agalactiae infections. Clinical epidemiological study and evaluation of a prevention program].

BACKGROUND: To prove both the importance of SGB (group B streptococci) as a cause of perinatal infection and the efficacy of a prophylactic treatment in pregnant women with cervicovaginal colonization by SGB.

METHODS: Retrospective study of 197 third trimester pregnant women who were carriers of SGB (155 received intrapartum prophylaxis) and of 44 patients with SGB infections during pregnancy, post-partum and neonatal periods.

RESULTS: No neonatal sepsis was detected in the group of SGB carrier mothers who received antibiotic prophylaxis. In carrier pregnant women who did not receive prophylaxis, one case of neonatal sepsis by SGB was detected and a greater prevalence of intrapartum fever, and neonatal infection with negative cultures was observed. SGB was frequently isolated as a cause of early sepsis and neonatal meningitis (13 cases), intraamniotic infection (12 cases) and puerperal endometritis (8 cases). In 45% of the patients with perinatal infections by SGB, the cervicovaginal culture performed in the third trimester of pregnancy did not detect the presence of SGB.

CONCLUSIONS: The administration of intrapartum ampicillin to pregnant SGB carriers permits the prevention of perinatal infections by this microorganism in a great number of patients, although the possibility of late colonization, which may not be detected during pregnancy, stil remains.