Use of Direct Latex Agglutination Testing of Selective Broth in the Detection of Group B Strepptococcal Carriage in Pregnant Women

• DOI: 10.1007/s10096-003-1052-x
• Publication Date: 2004-01-25T00:32:02Z
• Authors: J. Mart�nez; A. Menasalvas; C. Guerrero; R. Bl�zquez; T. Rodr�guez; M. Segovia
• Keywords: Adult; 0301 basic medicine; Colony Count, Microbial; Rectum; Gestational Age; Prenatal Care; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sampling Studies; Culture Media; Streptococcus agalactiae; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Pregnancy; Streptococcal Infections; Carrier State; Vagina; Humans; Female; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Latex Fixation Tests

Direct latex agglutination testing of selective broth medium for the detection of group B streptococci was evaluated. Results were compared with those obtained by the recommended subculture method. Among the 551 vaginal-rectal specimens tested, 101 (18.3%) were positive by the subculture method. Of these subcultures, latex agglutination testing detected 99 (98%) positive specimens. Agglutination testing of selective broth is a sensitive method which offers the advantage of saving 24 h in the turnaround time for detection of group B streptococci in pregnant women.