Increased cell adherence of group B streptococci from preterm infants with neonatal sepsis.

Most women with group B streptococcus cervical colonization have uncomplicated pregnancies, but about 1% experience preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) followed by neonatal group B streptococcal sepsis. In such cases, streptococcal adherence to and penetration of the membranes may be an important step in the pathogenesis. In the present study, chorionic epithelial cells were incubated with group B streptococci isolated from either children developing sepsis after preterm PROM (complicated pregnancies) or from uncomplicated pregnancies.