Authors
Michel G Bergeron, Danbing Ke, Christian Ménard, Francois J François, Martin Gagnon, Marthe Bernier, Marc Ouellette, Paul H Roy, Sylvie Marcoux, William D Fraser
Publication date
2000/7/20
Journal
New England journal of medicine
Volume
343
Issue
3
Pages
175-179
Publisher
Massachusetts Medical Society
Description
Background
Group B streptococcal infections are an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. A rapid method for the detection of this organism in pregnant women at the time of delivery is needed to allow early treatment of neonates.
Methods
We studied the efficacy of two polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assays for routine screening of pregnant women for group B streptococci at the time of delivery. We obtained anal, vaginal, and combined vaginal and anal specimens from 112 pregnant women; in 57 women, specimens were obtained before and after the rupture of the amniotic membranes. The specimens were tested for group B streptococci by culture in a standard selective broth medium, with a conventional PCR assay, and with a new fluorogenic PCR assay.
Results
Among the 112 women, the results of the culture of the combined vaginal and anal specimens were positive for group B …
Total citations
Scholar articles
MG Bergeron, D Ke, C Ménard, FJ François, M Gagnon… - New England journal of medicine, 2000