Group B Streptococcus colonization in male and nonpregnant female university students: A cross-sectional prevalence study

Abstract

We describe the prevalence of colonization with group B Streptococcus species in a random sample of otherwise healthy male and nonpregnant female college students. Colonization with group B Streptococcus species occurs at a high frequency among healthy students, and there was a suggestion that it is associated with having engaged in sexual activity, tampon use, milk consumption, and hand washing done ≤4 times per day. However, larger studies are needed to verify these findings.