Characterization of bovine and human group B streptococci isolated in Turkey.

TL;DR: The results of the study provide data on serotype distribution and the formulation of a possible GBS vaccine in Turkey, and the lectin-agglutination tests may also be useful for differentiating bovine and human GBS strains.

Abstract: In the study, group B streptococci (GBS) isolated from bovines and humans in and around Van, eastern Turkey, were serotyped, and their haemagglutination and lectin-agglutination properties were also determined. This study is the first epidemiological survey of GBS serotypes performed in Turkey. A total of 148 GBS isolates, 76 from bovine milk and 72 from women attending a maternity polyclinic, were examined by co-agglutination, slide haemagglutination and slide lectin-agglutination tests. By the co-agglutination test, 34 (44?7%) of bovine isolates and 49 (68%) of human isolates could be serotyped. In bovine isolates, type VII (11?8%), III (10?5%), Ic (6?5%) and VIII (3?9%) were the most frequently detected serotypes. The most frequent human serotypes were Ic (33?3%), IV (8?3%), VIII (6?9%), V (5?5%) and R (5?5%). In the haemagglutination test using rabbit erythrocytes, 23 (33?3%) bovine and 15 (23?4%) human isolates were found to be positive. The bovine GBS isolates showed a significant positive agglutination reaction with Dolichos biflorus lectin (30?4%), whereas the human GBS isolates were found to be positive for Arachis hypogea (18?8%) and Canavalia ensiformis (37?5%) lectins. The treatment of GBS with trypsin was also found to be important for the demonstration of the haemagglutination and lectin-agglutination properties of GBS. The results of the study provide data on serotype distribution and the formulation of a possible GBS vaccine in Turkey, and the lectin-agglutination tests may also be useful for differentiating bovine and human GBS strains.