Definition
A GAS infection was defined by the isolation of the pathogen from a
sterile liquid or tissue site. A postpartum GAS infection was defined as
the isolation of GAS growth in association with a clinical infection
during the postpartum period. Blood and urine cultures were routinely
obtained from all patients with peripartum hyperpyrexia (fever
>38°C). Additional cultures from the genital tract were
obtained in cases of a suspected maternal infection. Each case of a
positive culture was considered as being infectious since GAS is
considered a specific pathogen and not a contaminant/coloniser.