FREQUENCIES OF STREPTOCOCCI OF GROUPS A, B, C, D AND G IN URETHRA AND CERVIX SWAB SPECIMENS FROM PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED GONOCOCCAL INFECTION

Abstract

Urethral (male or female) and cervical swab specimens from 526 patients to be investigated for gonococcal infection were examined for streptococci of groups A, B, C, D and G. The overall frequencies of streptococci were group A: 0.6 per cent; B: 19.0 per cent; C: 0.8 per cent; D: 15.0 per cent; and G: 0.6 per cent. 22.3 per cent of the females and 11.7 per cent of the males harboured group B streptococci. 31.7 per cent of 41 patients with gonococcal infection harboured group B streptococci. This frequency is higher (p < 0.05) than those found among the other patients. These findings lend support to the view that group B streptococci in women are spread by sexual intercourse. The frequencies of streptococci group B and D in the males investigated, 11.7 per cent and 9.3 per cent, respectively, are higher than those found by others. Finally, of 81 females with group B streptococci, 45.7 per cent harboured group B streptococci in both urethra and cervix, 48.1 per cent only in urethra and 6.2 per cent only in cervix. Screening of women for group B streptococci should therefore always include urethral swab specimens.