title: Evaluation of a new selective enrichment broth for detection of group B streptococci in pregnant women.
abstract: Studies at two Brown Medical School-affiliated hospitals were undertaken to evaluate a new selective broth medium (GBS broth) and to compare it to the LIM broth currently used to culture for group B streptococci. Beta-hemolytic group B streptococci produce a carotenoid pigment that turns GBS broth an orange color. From a total of 580 pregnant women, duplicate vaginal-rectal swabs were collected at 35 to 37 weeks of gestation and cultured for group B streptococci, using either LIM broth (a selective broth containing antibiotics) or GBS broth for enrichment. Specimens were either transported to the laboratory or immediately placed in the respective enrichment broths and delivered to the laboratory. GBS broth medium had sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 87.8, 100, 100, and 95.1% when planted in the laboratory and 90.3, 100, 100 and 97.6%, respectively, when inoculated at bedside. Use of GBS broth would satisfy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements and would provide faster, more-sensitive, and cost-effective detection of group B streptococci in pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, USA. jheelan@mhri.org
authors.forename: Judith S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Heelan
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Struminsky
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lauro
authors.forename: C James
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media