Early diagnosis of GBS pneumonia using tracheal aspirates

The association between hyaline membrane disease (HMD) and group B streptococcus (GBS) was once again highlighted in the article by Lilien et al. (Pediatrics 60:360, September 1977). We routinely perform tracheal aspirates on all newborns with respiratory distress as part of their initial evaluation. It has been our experience that GBS pneumonia as evidenced by clinical features and proved by culture-positive tracheal aspirates is not necessarily correlated with positive cultures of blood and CSF. During the past year (July 1, 1976, through June 30, 1977) we have had ten infants with HMD in whom GBS was isolated from the tracheal aspirates, seven of ten from blood, and only four of ten from CSF.