Resumen

CORTES, Hernán. Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal infection: is it necessary in our country?. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2005, vol.56, n.3, pp.231-238. ISSN 0034-7434.

Group B Streptococcus or agalactie (GBS) is a habitual saprophytic microorganism of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts of human beings. Vertical transmission from the mother to the fetus, as occurs, favors the development of early onset disease in the neonate. The prevalence of maternal colonization is variable (5-30%) depending on the country, race, age and technique of sampling used for culture. Approximately 40-70% of neonates from mothers who are positive for GBS are colonized and of those, 1 to 2% will develop invasive disease (sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia). Fortunately, most of these infections can be prevented by prophylactic antibiotics during labor and delivery. However, in our environment, the impact of this pathology is unknown, and strategies for prevention have not been implemented. Research in our country is needed to address this issue and implement diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Palabras clave : Streptococcus group B; disease; prophylaxis; colonization.

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