Yuri Perlitz1, Moshe Ben-Ami1, Emanuel C Megory2, Orna Nitzan3, Tal Bouganim1, Johnny S Younis1, Nora Shapso1, Avi Peretz4. 1. a Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya. The Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee , Bar-Ilan University , Safed , Israel. 2. b Women's Health Clinic, Rakaty , Tiberias. The Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University , Safed , Israel. 3. c Unit of Infectious Diseases, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya. The Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee , Bar-Ilan University , Safed , Israel. 4. d Clinical Microbiology Lab, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya. The Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee , Bar-Ilan University , Safed , Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare the accuracy of vagino-rectal enriched culture (EC) and a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of Group B streptococcus (GBS) carrier status at 35-37-week gestation and at onset of labor. (2) To assess the conversion rate of GBS carrier status between 35-37 weeks to the onset of labor according to the EC/PCR tests. A prospective study was performed at a women's health clinic, referred to give birth at one medical center. STUDY POPULATION: Low risk pregnant women at 35-37-week gestation who did not know their GBS carrier status. METHODS: Participants were evaluated for GBS status both at 35-37 weeks and at labor onset. Correlation between tests was calculated by Spearman correlation. RESULTS: One hundred and ten specimens were analyzed. Correlations: EC-PCR: 35-37 weeks - very high (r = 0.8), at labor - high (r = 0.5). EC-EC: 35-37 weeks and at labor - high (r = 0.39); PCR-PCR: 35-37 weeks and at labor- high (r = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Both the EC and Xpert PCR tests are accurate for detecting GBS carrier, both at 35-37 weeks and at labor onset. We did not detect a significant conversion of the GBS status from negative at 35-37 weeks to positive at onset of labor.
OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare the accuracy of vagino-rectal enriched culture (EC) and a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of Group B streptococcus (GBS) carrier status at 35-37-week gestation and at onset of labor. (2) To assess the conversion rate of GBS carrier status between 35-37 weeks to the onset of labor according to the EC/PCR tests. A prospective study was performed at a women's health clinic, referred to give birth at one medical center. STUDY POPULATION: Low risk pregnant women at 35-37-week gestation who did not know their GBS carrier status. METHODS:Participants were evaluated for GBS status both at 35-37 weeks and at labor onset. Correlation between tests was calculated by Spearman correlation. RESULTS: One hundred and ten specimens were analyzed. Correlations: EC-PCR: 35-37 weeks - very high (r = 0.8), at labor - high (r = 0.5). EC-EC: 35-37 weeks and at labor - high (r = 0.39); PCR-PCR: 35-37 weeks and at labor- high (r = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Both the EC and Xpert PCR tests are accurate for detecting GBS carrier, both at 35-37 weeks and at labor onset. We did not detect a significant conversion of the GBS status from negative at 35-37 weeks to positive at onset of labor.