Group B Streptococcus detection in pregnant women: comparison of real-time PCR assay, culture, and the Xpert GBS rapid test
Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important causative agents of neonatal sepsis. As administration of prophylactic antibiotics during labor can prevent GBS infection, routine screening for this bacterium in prenatal care before the onset of labor is recommended. However, many women present in labor without having undergone such testing during antenatal care, and the turnaround time of detection methods is insufficient for results to be obtained before delivery. Methods: Vaginal and anorectal specimens were collected from 270 pregnant women. Each sample was tested by Xpert GBS, qPCR, and culture for GBS detection. Results: The overall prevalence of maternal GBS colonization was 30.7% according to Xpert GBS, 51.1% according to qPCR, and 14.3% according to cultures. Considering the qPCR method as the reference, the Xpert GBS had a sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 93%. Positive Xpert GBS results were correlated to marital status (married or cohabitating) and with prematurity as a cause of neonatal hospitalization. Positive cultures were related with ischemic–hypoxic encephalopathy requiring therapeutic hypothermia. Conclusions: Combined enrichment/qPCR and the Xpert GBS rapid test found a high prevalence of GBS colonization. The Xpert GBS technique gives faster results and could be useful for evaluating mothers who present without antenatal GBS screening results and are at risk of preterm labor, thus allowing institution of prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Keywords: Group B Streptococcus ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Xpert GBS; real-time polymerase chain reaction; antenatal care
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Posted 19 Dec, 2019
On 30 Dec, 2019
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Received 16 Sep, 2019
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On 06 Aug, 2019
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On 23 Jul, 2019
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On 16 Jul, 2019
Group B Streptococcus detection in pregnant women: comparison of real-time PCR assay, culture, and the Xpert GBS rapid test
Posted 19 Dec, 2019
On 30 Dec, 2019
On 13 Dec, 2019
On 12 Dec, 2019
On 11 Dec, 2019
On 11 Dec, 2019
On 09 Dec, 2019
On 08 Dec, 2019
On 07 Dec, 2019
On 07 Dec, 2019
On 03 Dec, 2019
On 02 Dec, 2019
On 01 Dec, 2019
On 01 Dec, 2019
On 13 Nov, 2019
On 12 Nov, 2019
On 11 Nov, 2019
On 11 Nov, 2019
On 05 Nov, 2019
On 15 Oct, 2019
On 14 Oct, 2019
On 14 Oct, 2019
On 04 Oct, 2019
Received 16 Sep, 2019
On 10 Sep, 2019
Received 14 Aug, 2019
On 06 Aug, 2019
Invitations sent on 25 Jul, 2019
On 23 Jul, 2019
On 23 Jul, 2019
On 23 Jul, 2019
On 16 Jul, 2019
Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important causative agents of neonatal sepsis. As administration of prophylactic antibiotics during labor can prevent GBS infection, routine screening for this bacterium in prenatal care before the onset of labor is recommended. However, many women present in labor without having undergone such testing during antenatal care, and the turnaround time of detection methods is insufficient for results to be obtained before delivery. Methods: Vaginal and anorectal specimens were collected from 270 pregnant women. Each sample was tested by Xpert GBS, qPCR, and culture for GBS detection. Results: The overall prevalence of maternal GBS colonization was 30.7% according to Xpert GBS, 51.1% according to qPCR, and 14.3% according to cultures. Considering the qPCR method as the reference, the Xpert GBS had a sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 93%. Positive Xpert GBS results were correlated to marital status (married or cohabitating) and with prematurity as a cause of neonatal hospitalization. Positive cultures were related with ischemic–hypoxic encephalopathy requiring therapeutic hypothermia. Conclusions: Combined enrichment/qPCR and the Xpert GBS rapid test found a high prevalence of GBS colonization. The Xpert GBS technique gives faster results and could be useful for evaluating mothers who present without antenatal GBS screening results and are at risk of preterm labor, thus allowing institution of prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Keywords: Group B Streptococcus ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Xpert GBS; real-time polymerase chain reaction; antenatal care
Figure 1