Use of the Roche LightCycler Strep B assay for detection of group B Streptococcus from vaginal and rectal swabs.
The results for a real-time PCR assay, using the LightCycler Strep B analyte-specific reagents (Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind.), were compared to a direct plate method combined with a broth enrichment culture method for detection of group B streptococcus colonization in pregnant women. Two separate evaluations were conducted using two different automated nucleic extraction instruments, the MagNA Pure LC instrument (Roche Diagnostics Corporation) and the lower-capacity MagNA Pure Compact instrument (Roche Diagnostics Corporation). The sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values for the different evaluation methods were as follow: for the LightCycler Strep B assay with MagNA Pure LC, 100, 97, 90, and 100%, respectively; for the LightCycler Strep B assay with MagNA Pure Compact, 92.5, 99, 97, and 97.5%, respectively. The LightCycler Strep B assay combined with either MagNA Pure LC or MagNA Pure Compact extraction is a suitable method for detecting group B streptococcus colonization in pregnant women. An advantage of the LightCycler assay over culture is the considerably reduced turnaround time for results.
Uhl
James R
JR
Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, MN 55905, USA.
Vetter
Emily A
EA
Boldt
Kristi L
KL
Johnston
Bruce W
BW
Ramin
Kirk D
KD
Adams
Marla J
MJ
Ferrieri
Patricia
P
Reischl
Udo
U
Cockerill
Franklin R
FR
D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*