The natural history of group B streptococcal colonization in the pregnant woman and her offspring. II. Determination of serum antibody to capsular polysaccharide from type III, group B Streptococcus

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1980 May 1;137(1):39-42. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(80)90383-x.

Abstract

An investigation of the prevalence and persistence of the concentration of antibody to capsular polysaccharide from type III, group B Streptococcus in sera from 93 pregnant women and their newborn infants is reported. In the majority of women, the concentrations of antibody detected in the sera were low (less than 1 microgram/ml). However, sera from women who were colonized with type III strains of group B streptococci contained significantly higher concentrations of antibody than those from noncolonized women (p = 0.027). No appreciable change in antibody concentration was found in sera collected early in gestation when compared to delivery sera. When maternal-cord serum pairs were analyzed, a significant correlation between concentrations of antibody was found, which indicates that this antibody is transplacentally transferred.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / immunology
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange*
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Streptococcal Infections / immunology
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial