title: Comparison of various culture methods for isolation of group B streptococcus from intrapartum vaginal colonization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most common causes of neonatal sepsis throughout the world. Reports of vaginal colonization of GBS in India are few and variable. A study was conducted on pregnant women in a tertiary care hospital to compare various methods for isolation of GBS, to study the prevalence of GBS in pregnant women in third trimester, and to determine risk factors for GBS colonization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  High vaginal swabs from 150 pregnant women in their third trimester were used to compare three methods for isolation of GBS viz. direct culture on 5% Sheep Blood agar, direct culture on selective Columbia Blood Agar and culture in LIM enrichment broth with subsequent culture on 5% Sheep Blood agar. A history of associated risk factors was also taken.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analysis was performed by Chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Isolation was best from LIM enrichment broth with subsequent culture on 5% Sheep Blood Agar. Prevalence of GBS colonization by using culture method was 12.67%. Most frequently associated risk factor was intrapartum fever (42.11%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standard Culture Method using LIM enrichment should be adopted as standard practice for isolation of GBS from vaginal swabs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Kavitha P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Konikkara
authors.forename: Shrikala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baliga
authors.forename: Suchitra M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bharati
keywords: Group B Streptococcus; LIM enrichment broth; sheep blood agar; vaginal colonization