RESPONSE TO TYPE-III POLYSACCHARIDE IN WOMEN WHOSE INFANTS HAVE HAD INVASIVE GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION

THERE is considerable mortality and morbidity in the United States from perinatal group B streptococcal disease.1 , 2 Approximately 3 neonates per 1000 live births, or an estimated 11,000 infants annually, have invasive group B streptococcal disease; two thirds of these infections are caused by the Type III capsular serotype.3 Pregnancy-related morbidity (e.g., urinary tract infection, chorioamnionitis, postpartum endometritis and bacteremia, and wound infections complicating cesarean section) affects approximately 50,000 women each year.2 , 3 One method proposed for the prevention of group B streptococcal disease in mothers and their infants is active immunization of women. This proposal is based on the observation that. © 1990, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.