title: Rapid detection of group B streptococci in vaginal swabs of parturients by latex particle agglutination.
abstract: Duplicate high vaginal swabs were obtained from 200 parturient women at Abeokuta (Nigeria). By culture on a selective agar twenty-two women (11%) were found to harbour group B streptococci. The second swab was subjected to a 45 min enzymatic extraction procedure and then tested in a latex agglutination test for group B streptococcal antigen (Wellcogen Strep B; Wellcome Diagnostics, Dartford, UK). The latex test permitted the detection of three out of 22 colonized women (overall sensitivity 13.6%). The sensitivity for detection of heavy colonization was 50% (three out of six women). It is concluded that the sensitivity of the method employed for rapid detection of group B streptococcal antigen in vaginal swabs is still unsatisfactory.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Tübingen.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hoppe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindenau
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Höfler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*