Self-collected versus health-care professional taken swab for identification of vaginal-rectal colonisation with group B streptococcus in late pregnancy: a systematic review

Abstract

Background

Testing for group B streptococcus (GBS) requires a vaginal-rectal swab in late pregnancy.

Objective

A systematic review of the test accuracy of a self-collected swab compared with a health-care professional collected swab in the diagnosis of GBS colonisation.

Search strategy

The Cochrane Library (including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects [DARE] and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL]), EMBASE, MEDLINE and Trip were searched in May 2022.

Selection criteria

Randomised trials, test accuracy studies or diagnostic yield studies that compared the accuracy of a self-collected vaginal-rectal swab, compared to that taken by a health-care professional, for the detection of GBS colonisation in the third trimester.

Data collection and analysis

Two researchers independently screened, selected studies, extracted data and assessed study quality.

Main results

10 studies, with 2578 women were included. Pooled sensitivity of self-collected swabs was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81 to 0.95) and pooled specificity was 0.98 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.99).

Conclusion

This study provides reassuring evidence that self-collected swabs for maternal GBS colonisation are highly accurate relative to swabs collected by health-care professionals. Women requiring a swab for GBS colonisation can self-swab with appropriate instructions if they choose.

Funding

Personal fellowship from the University of Nottingham for KFW.