Comparison of combined vaginal-anorectal, vaginal and anorectal cultures in detecting of group B streptococci in pregnant women in labor.
OBJECTIVE
To compare whether the Group B streptococcal culture detection rate from vaginal-anorectal cultures, vaginal, or anorectal are equivalent.


METHODS
Cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 320 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28-42 weeks presenting with labor pain, between October, 1 and 30, 2004 in Rajavithi Hospital. Anorectal and vaginal swab cultures were collected and cultured in Todd Hewitt broth with 15 microg/ ml nalidixic acid and 8 microg/ml gentamicin.


RESULTS
Forty-three (13.44%) and 33 cases (10.31%) were not significantly different in GBS detection rate in vaginal and anorectal culture, respectively (p = 0.154, McNemar). Combined vaginal-anorectal culture significantly improved the colonization GBS detection rate to 18.12% compared with either individual vaginal or anorectal culture 1 (p < 0.001, McNemar).


CONCLUSIONS
GBS detection rate from combined vaginal-anorectal was significantly higher than either individual vaginal or anorectal cultures.
Kovavisarach
Ekachai
E
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Sa-adying
Warintorn
W
Kanjanahareutai
Suwattana
S
D001003:Anal Canal / Q000382:microbiology*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*