Grouping and detection of group B streptococci by immunofluorescence.
Forty-nine clinical isolates of group B streptococci (GBS) were correctly grouped from broth culture by the Fluoro-Kit immunofluorescence test. A further 82 beta-haemolytic streptococci of groups A, C, D, F, and G were tested and gave no cross-reactions. The test was simple to perform and gave clear results. The Fluoro-Kit reagents, however, failed to detect GBS in 21 (51%) of 41 smears of rectal or vaginal swabs from pregnant women from which GBS were subsequently grown. Thirty-two (20%) of 159 culture-negative swabs gave positive immunofluorescent reactions.
D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011247:Pregnancy; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears