Rapid screening for Streptococcus agalactiae in vaginal specimens of pregnant women by fluorescent in situ hybridization.
Group B streptococci (GBS) are the most frequent pathogens in neonates with sepsis. A rapid screening method is required to identify carriage of GBS in pregnant women at the time of delivery. In order to detect GBS in vaginal specimens, the efficiency of the standard culture versus fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was investigated. In 258 examined vaginal specimens, FISH identified 58 of the 59 GBS-positive samples (98.3%), whereas by means of standard culture only 38 specimens were positive (64.4%). We recommend FISH as a rapid, specific, highly sensitive screening technique for the detection of GBS in pregnant women at delivery.
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Krankenhaushygiene, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. amelia-laura.artz@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Laura A
LA
Artz
Volkhard A J
VA
Kempf
Ingo B
IB
Autenrieth
D001483:Base Sequence; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial