The effect of bacteriostatic lubricant on group B streptococcal cultures of the female genital tract.
The purpose of this prospective investigation was to determine the effect of bacteriostatic lubricant on group B streptococcal cultures obtained from the lower genital tract of pregnant women. Fifty pregnant women with intact membranes who recently had genital tract cultures for group B streptococci were evaluated. The study group consisted of 25 women who had positive cultures, and the control group comprised 25 women who had negative cultures. All patients underwent examination with a sterile nonlubricated speculum within 7 days of the previously obtained cultures. Secretions from the endocervix and from the posterior vaginal wall near the introitus were collected with a sterile cotton-tipped applicator and inoculated directly onto a selective blood agar culture plate. The sterile speculum was removed and a digital examination performed using bacteriostatic lubricant. A second sterile speculum was then inserted into the vagina and another group B streptococcal culture was obtained. There was 100% correlation between the cultures obtained before and after the vaginal examination. We conclude that use of bacteriostatic lubricant does not alter the recovery of group B streptococci from the genital tract of pregnant women with intact membranes.
Brady
K
K
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington.
Sizemore
K L
KL
Duff
P
P
Aamodt
L W
LW
D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000382:microbiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine