Clinical Isolates of Group B Streptococci from Elderly Patients

The importance of Group B streptococcal infection in elderly patiens has not been clearly defined. We studied the annual incidence of Group B streptococci (GBS) isolated from sputum and urine of elderly patients who were admitted to Nagoyashi Koseiin Geriatric Hospital. The percentage of GBS isolated has increased since 1988. The type distribution of GBS isolates shows predominantly types Ia, Ib and JM9. The major clinical factors in patients from whom GBS was isolated from sputum were bedridden status, feeding tubes and tracheostomy. We also investigated the antibody to GBS in these elderly patients. The titers of GBS antibody were significantly higher in the group with GBS isolates than in the group without these pathogens. These results suggest that GBS is one of the causative organisms of nosocomial infections in elderly patients.