GROUP B STREP DETECTION by PCR

Collection is recommended between 35-37 weeks gestation.

If patient has a penicillin allergy, refer to test code PGBPC.

Please note that all swabs will be enriched in Limbroth before PCR testing can occur. Report will be available within 24 hours of receipt.

This test is for the detection of Group B Streptococcus to determine antepartum colonization status in women between 35-37 weeks gestation.

eSwab Flocked Swab

Room temperature or Refrigerate

2-30ºC up to 48 hours

Improper transport media or container leakage

M, Tu, W, Th, F, Sa, Su

Not detected

If this test is repeatedly unresolved, take LIM broth and REFLEX CULTURE TESTING form to data entry for micro culture to be ordered.

Group B Streptococcus or GBS is a gram positive bacterium that is the leading infectious cause of morbidity and mortality among infants in the United States. Early-onset infections are acquired through exposure to GBS from the vagina of a colonized woman during delivery. The most common clinical syndromes of early-onset disease are spesis and pneumonia. Less frequent cases can lead to meningitis. The CDC estimates that approximately 70% of the 1,200 annual cases of early-onset invasive disease are among babies born at term. Guidelines for detection of GBS carriage advise late term screening of vaginal-rectal samples using a broth enrichment technique prior to testing. This enrichment step has greatly increased the sensitivity of detection. Advantages to PCR include increased sensitivity over culture and reduced turn-around tim (TAT).