Invasive group B streptococcus (GBS) disease in Norway 1996-2006.

The aim of this study was to survey the occurrence of invasive group B streptococcus (GBS) disease in Norway and detect possible trends in characteristics of invasive GBS strains from 1996 to 2006. Data from national monitoring systems for infectious diseases in Norway were analysed. Of 638,452 live births in the period, 434 cases of invasive GBS disease in infants were reported.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus (GBS)) colonisation and persistence, in pregnancy; a comparison of two diverse communities (rural and urban).

Objective: To establish the extent of GBS colonisation, persistence of colonisation in pregnancy and influence of obstetric history in two diverse communities (rural and urban) in Zimbabwe.

Design: Cross sectional survey.

Setting: Rutsanana Clinic in Highfield, Harare (representing the urban area) and Chitsungo Mission Hospital in Lower Guruve, (representing the rural area).

Characterisation of invasive group B streptococci based on investigation of surface proteins and genes encoding surface proteins.

The joint distributions of the six genes bca, bac, epsilon/alp1, alp2, alp3 and rib (encoding alpha-C-protein, beta-C-protein, epsilon/Alp1, Alp2, Alp3, and Rib, respectively) and the proteins alpha-C-protein, beta-C-protein and Rib were investigated in invasive isolates of group B streptococcus (GBS). In total, 297 invasive isolates (123 from neonates, 174 from adults) from south-west Sweden were collected during a 13-year period. Genes were detected using multiplex and specific PCRs, and expression of the surface proteins was demonstrated using monoclonal antibodies.

Real-time PCR targeting the sip gene for detection of group B Streptococcus colonization in pregnant women at delivery.

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important aetiological agent of serious neonatal infections. A rapid and sensitive method for the detection of GBS colonization in pregnant women at delivery could make intrapartum screening for GBS possible. A real-time PCR method targeting the sip gene of GBS in pregnant women at delivery has been evaluated.

[An outbreak of giardiasis in a child day-care centre in Trondheim].

Background: The prevalence of Giardia in Norway is considered to be low, but the infection is probably under-diagnosed. In other countries, child day-care centres have turned out to be major sites of Giardiasis contamination and outbreaks. We report the first giardiasis-outbreak registered in Norway.