BACKGROUND Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important causative agents of neonatal sepsis. As administration of prophylactic antibiotics during labor can prevent GBS infection, routine screening for this bacterium in prenatal care before the onset of labor is recommended. However, many women present in labor without having undergone such testing during antenatal care, and the turnaround time of detection methods is insufficient for results to be obtained before delivery. METHODS Vaginal and anorectal specimens were collected from 270 pregnant women. Each sample was tested by Xpert GBS, qPCR, and culture for GBS detection. RESULTS The overall prevalence of maternal GBS colonization was 30.7% according to Xpert GBS, 51.1% according to qPCR, and 14.3% according to cultures. Considering the qPCR method as the reference, the Xpert GBS had a sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 93%. Positive Xpert GBS results were correlated to marital status (married or cohabitating) and with prematurity as a cause of neonatal hospitalization. Positive cultures were related with ischemic-hypoxic encephalopathy requiring therapeutic hypothermia. CONCLUSIONS Combined enrichment/qPCR and the Xpert GBS rapid test found a high prevalence of GBS colonization. The Xpert GBS technique gives faster results and could be useful for evaluating mothers who present without antenatal GBS screening results and are at risk of preterm labor, thus allowing institution of prophylactic antibiotic therapy.

中文翻译：

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孕妇B组链球菌检测：qPCR分析，培养和Xpert GBS快速检测的比较。

背景技术B组链球菌（GBS）是新生儿败血症最重要的病原体之一。由于在分娩期间使用预防性抗生素可以预防GBS感染，因此建议在分娩开始之前在产前检查中常规筛查该细菌。但是，许多妇女在产前检查期间未经过此类检查而分娩，并且检测方法的周转时间不足以使分娩前获得结果。方法收集270例孕妇的阴道和肛肠标本。每个样品均通过Xpert GBS，qPCR和培养物进行GBS检测。结果根据Xpert GBS，母体GBS定植的总体患病率为30.7％，根据qPCR确定为51.1％，根据培养物确定为14.3％。以qPCR方法为参考，Xpert GBS的敏感性为53％，特异性为93％。Xpert GBS阳性结果与婚姻状况（已婚或同居）以及早产是新生儿住院的原因相关。阳性培养物与需要治疗体温过低的缺血性缺氧性脑病有关。结论结合富集/ qPCR和Xpert GBS快速测试发现，GBS定植率很高。Xpert GBS技术可提供更快的结果，可用于评估没有产前GBS筛查结果且有早产风险的母亲，从而可以进行预防性抗生素治疗。阳性培养物与需要治疗体温过低的缺血性缺氧性脑病有关。结论结合富集/ qPCR和Xpert GBS快速测试发现，GBS定植率很高。Xpert GBS技术可提供更快的结果，可用于评估没有产前GBS筛查结果且有早产风险的母亲，从而可以进行预防性抗生素治疗。阳性培养物与需要治疗体温过低的缺血性缺氧性脑病有关。结论结合富集/ qPCR和Xpert GBS快速测试发现，GBS定植率很高。Xpert GBS技术可提供更快的结果，可用于评估没有产前GBS筛查结果且有早产风险的母亲，从而可以进行预防性抗生素治疗。