Screening protocols for group B streptococcus: are transport media appropriate?
2003

Evaluating Group B Streptococcus Detection Methods

Sample size: 103 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Nicolette Teese, Daneeta Henessey, Christopher Pearce, Nigel Kelly, Suzanne Garland

Primary Institution: The Royal Women's Hospital

Hypothesis

Does delayed inoculation into transport media affect the detection rate of Group B Streptococcus?

Conclusion

Delayed inoculation into selective enrichment broth after transport in Amies medium maintains acceptable GBS detection rates.

Supporting Evidence

  • 92.2% of isolates were detected in all tubes and at all times.
  • 3.9% of isolates were negative until 2 hours delayed inoculation.
  • 1.9% of isolates gave inconsistent results due to low inoculum.

Takeaway

This study shows that it's okay to keep samples in a special transport medium for up to 24 hours before testing for a bacteria called Group B Streptococcus.

Methodology

Clinical isolates of GBS were tested using direct inoculation and delayed inoculation from transport medium at various time intervals.

Limitations

The study design may have confounded results due to varying transport times and inoculum dilution.

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