title: Successful off-label use of the Cepheid Xpert GBS in a late-onset neonatal meningitis by Streptococcus agalactiae.
abstract: We report the case of a late-onset neonatal meningitis by Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus - GBS) that was diagnosed with a latex agglutination assay (on cerebrospinal fluid, CSF), as well as by using, for the first time, Xpert GBS (Cepheid, US) on CSF. Due to empirical antibiotics given before sampling, both CSF and blood culture were negative, so the abovementioned diagnostics was crucial. Moreover, the Xpert GBS assay, performed according to an off-label, modified protocol (the system is designed for GBS-carriage intrapartum screening, based on a completely automated real time-Polymerase Chain Reaction) quickly detected the organism's genome target. Although further investigation on this test's performace on CSF is required, then, we trust it may be a promising, quick and precise diagnostic method for infections in newborns.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Spirito Santo Hospital Pescara (Pe), Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Savini
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Spirito Santo Hospital Pescara (Pe), Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marrollo
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Pathology, Spirito Santo Hospital Pescara (PE), Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coclite
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Pathology, Spirito Santo Hospital Pescara (PE), Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fusilli
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Pathology, Spirito Santo Hospital Pescara (PE), Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Incecco
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Spirito Santo Hospital Pescara (Pe), Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fazii
mesh_terms: D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae
keywords: Cepheid; GBS; Lancefield group B; Streptococcus agalactiae; Xpert GBS; gestation; meningitis; pregnancy