title: Evaluation of a rapid latex agglutination test for detection of group B streptococci in vaginal specimens.
abstract: A rapid latex agglutination test (Bactigen Group B Streptococcus Cervical Screen) for detection of group B streptococci in cervical-vaginal specimens was evaluated using two different slide systems, the traditional serologic slide and capillary action track (Trak) slide. Culture was used as reference method. A total of 344 cervical-vaginal specimens were tested. The group B streptococci carrier rate was found by culture to be 10.8%, 56.8% of these specimens being heavily colonized. The sensitivity and specificity of the latex agglutination test in heavily colonized specimens was 95.2% and 99.3% for the serologic and track slides respectively. The overall sensitivity, including lightly colonized specimens, was 62.2%. The positive predictive value was 92% for both slide systems, and the negative predictive value 95.4% and 95.6% for the serologic and track slides respectively. The latex agglutination test, used with either slide, provides a rapid and effective method for identification of specimens heavily colonized with group B streptococci. The track slide may provide a convenient alternative to serologic slides since it does not require rotation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Carter-Wallace Diagnostics Research and Development, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lotz-Nolan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iltis
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wallen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Packer
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears