Prenatal Group B Streptococcus Test Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

• Main Authors: Chi-Feng Wei (Author), Bo-Ching She (Author), Hung-Shuo Liang (Author), Qing-Dong Ling (Author), Chen-Yuan Tsai (Author), Chih-Wei Yen (Author), Hsueh-Yin Wu (Author), Ming-Song Tsai (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the percentage of pregnant women with negative Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening results by culture at 35 weeks' gestation, who subsequently had positive GBS test results after 39 weeks' gestation. Materials and Methods: From 2006 to 2007, we recruited 150 pregnant women who received routine GBS culture screening at 35 weeks' gestation with negative results, and who had repeat cultures and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for GBS after 39 weeks' gestation. Results: Two percent of pregnant women with GBS-negative results by culture screening at 35 weeks' gestation were GBS-positive at 39 weeks' gestation. Conclusion: It is necessary to perform a GBS test 4 weeks after an initial negative GBS culture at 35-37 weeks of gestation. RT-PCR provides a simple and rapid alternative method for detecting rectovaginal GBS colonization at the time of labor.

Item Description

1028-4559
10.1016/S1028-4559(09)60269-2