RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Group B streptococcus is the main etiological agent of maternal and fetal infections, sepsis and meningitis in the term newborns. The objective is to determine group B streptococcal (GBS) carriage rate in vagina of term pregnant women. METHODS: Vaginal swab was performed prospectively in 275 pregnant women in labor, prior to entering the delivery room over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: Colonization rate was 20.2%. The bearing was variable according to the gestational age, it constitutes 57.5% between 37 and 38 weeks of amenorrhoea. None of the risk factors was statistically predictive for maternal GBS colonization. CONCLUSION: Screening should be performed from 37 weeks of amenorrhoea and, as colonization is intermittent, a negative swab result does not ensure that GBS colonization is eradicate at birth.