#89-S predictors of group b Streptococcus Colonization in healthy, young men and women

PURPOSE: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns, and increasingly causes infection in pregnant women, and non-pregnant adults with underlying conditions. Risk factors for invasive GBS disease are well described, but little is known about factors associated with asymptomatic colonization. We describe the association of various behaviors with GBS colonization, and report the frequency of colonization among otherwise healthy male and non-pregnant female college students living in a single dormitory. METHODS: We invited 738 students to participate. Students self-collected urine, throat, vaginal and anal orifice specimens, and completed a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 216 men (47%) and 246 women (53%) participated in the study (462/738). 34% (82/241) of women and 20% (43/211) of men were colonized with GBS in at least one site. Women were twice as likely as men to be colonized with GBS at any site (p < .001). Among the 141 roommate pairs studied, 10 (7%) roommates were both positive for GBS. Ever engaging in sexual activity yielded the strongest crude association with GBS colonization. Chicken, pork and fish consumption was associated with an increased risk of colonization in women, while milk consumption was associated with a decreased risk. Similar crude associations were not detected in men. CONCLUSION: GBS occurs frequently among otherwise healthy college students, and colonization is strongly associated with ever engaging in sexual activity. Direct contact that occurs during cohabitation, however, did not seem to influence GBS colonization, but various food items did. Prospective studies are required to differentiate risk factors for acquisition from those associated with persistent carriage.