title: Comparison of culture for group B streptococcus versus enzyme immunoassay and latex agglutination rapid tests: results in 250 patients during labor.
abstract: Two hundred fifty women in labor were screened for vaginal colonization by group B streptococcus using standard culture and two rapid tests. This primarily Hispanic population had a group B streptococcus vaginal colonization rate of 2.4% (95% confidence interval 0.9-5.2%) for the patients sampled. An enzyme immunoassay and a latex agglutination test for group B streptococcus antigen both had sensitivities of 33% and had specificities of 99 and 95%, respectively, when compared with culture. Neither rapid test appeared to be clinically useful for detecting colonized women in labor, although both can be useful in excluding colonization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California-Los Angeles County Medical Center.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Greenspoon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Greenspoon
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial