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Evaluation of a Rapid Enzyme Immunoassay for Detection of Genital Colonization of Group B Streptococci in Pregnant Women: Own Experience and Review
Author(s) -
Hordnes Knut,
Eide Martha,
Ulstein Magnar,
Digranes Asbjorn,
Haneberg Bjorn
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1995.tb01974.x
Subject(s) - immunoassay , group b , medicine , cervix , sex organ , carriage , rectum , group a , obstetrics , gynecology , immunology , antibody , biology , pathology , cancer , genetics
EDITORIAL COMMENT: As regular readers of the Journal will know we have published a number of papers recently on the subject of screening for group B beta‐haemolytic streptococcal (GBS) colonization of the vagina in pregnancy. This is the first paper we have published on the important problem of identification in labour of women who are GBS‐carriers so that appropriate antibiotic therapy can be given to them and their infants after delivery. It shows that the current technology is inadequate to quickly and reliably identify GBS‐carrier women. Summary: We have compared an enzyme immunoassay (ICON Strep B, Hybritech) with cultures for emonstration of genital carriage of group B streptococci (GBS) in pregnant women, and studied the relationship between vaginal and rectal carriage of this organism. Pertinent literature has also been reviewed. Two hundred pregnant women at gestational week 17 were included. Swabs from the uterine cervix were tested for GBS by ICON Strep B immunoassay and ordinary cultures on blood agar. Additional swabs from the rectum were tested by cultures. The percentage of women with GBS in cervical secretions was 13.5 o 7o (27/200) by cultures and 4% (8/200) by the ICON Strep B immunoassay. The overall sensitivity of the immunoassay was 7.4%, and the specificity 96.5%. In conclusion, the sensitivity of rapid enzyme immunoassays is too low for accurate screening of GBS in the genital tract of pregnant women.