Group B streptococci in milk and neonatal colonisation

Most studies do not measure the bacterial inoculum, an aspect that could be crucial. [...]it is possible that in some cases reported in the literature, the milk was 'contaminated' with GBS during sampling rather than previously 'infected'. High rates of positive milk cultures from mothers of newborns with recurrent LOD might only reflect persistent neonatal GBS colonisation at mucous sites, as evidenced by cases where discontinuation of breast feeding does not prevent recurrence. 4 Unlike in the case of breastfed full-term neonates, a positive milk culture might have greater importance if a preterm infant with LOD is fed pump-extracted milk containing GBS.