Abstract

VIEGAS CAETANO, José; LARRE, Silvina  and  LOPRETO, Carmen. Detection and characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae in urinary samples for culture. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2004, vol.38, n.4, pp.459-463. ISSN 0325-2957.

The frequency of Streptococcus agalactiae is growing in the clinical laboratory. Improved detection methods are needed due to its importance as urinary tract, neonatal and puerperal pathogen. The aim of the present work was to study the frequency of Streptococcus agalactiae isolations in urinary culture samples focused on pregnant women. 170 isolates (1%) Streptococcus agalactiae were obtained from 17,160 samples of ambulatory and hospitalized patients in a two year period. It was possible to increase the sensitivity of the detection of this microorganism by considering the presence of beta hemolytic colonies in low concentrations in samples of pregnant patients on sheep blood agar plates. Out of 4,868 samples of pregnant women, 107 isolates (2.2%) of Streptococcus agalactiae were obtained. By this means it was possible to detect a great number of carriers and to effectively prevent potential risks. The susceptibility of 88 isolates to different antimicrobial agents was tested. A preserved susceptibility to beta-lactam agents and also a positive response to the established treatments were observed.

Keywords : Streptococcus agalactiae; urinary infection.

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