title: Non-culture detection of Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield group B Streptococcus) in clinical samples by real-time PCR.
abstract: A real-time PCR assay targeting the cylB gene was developed to detect Streptococcus agalactiae [Lancefield group B Streptococcus (GBS)] from clinical samples. A total of 110 blood culture-negative samples [75 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 35 EDTA blood samples] from neonates with probable GBS sepsis or meningitis were analysed. Among these, 16 of the 75 CSF samples were positive [21.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.7-32.3%] and two of the 35 EDTA blood samples were positive (5.7%, 95% CI 0.7-19.2%). The proportion testing positive in the CSF samples was significantly higher than in the EDTA blood samples (P=0.05, Fisher's exact test). Overall, this real-time PCR assay was shown to be superior to culture methods for detection of GBS from CSF and EDTA blood samples.
authors: Respiratory and Systemic Infection Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, Microbiology Services Division, Colindale, London, UK.
authors: Aruni
authors: A
authors: de Zoysa
authors: Department of Bioanalysis and Horizon Technologies, Health Protection Agency, Microbiology Services Division, Colindale, London, UK.
authors: Kirstin
authors: K
authors: Edwards
authors: Department of Bioanalysis and Horizon Technologies, Health Protection Agency, Microbiology Services Division, Colindale, London, UK.
authors: Saheer
authors: S
authors: Gharbia
authors: Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory & Epidemiology, Health Protection Agency, Microbiology Services Division, Colindale, London, UK.
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Underwood
authors: Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department, Health Protection Agency, Microbiology Services Division, Colindale, London, UK.
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Charlett
authors: Respiratory and Systemic Infection Laboratory, Health Protection Agency, Microbiology Services Division, Colindale, London, UK.
authors: Androulla
authors: A
authors: Efstratiou
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*