EVALUATION OF A RAPID ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY FOR DETECTION OF GENITAL COLONIZATION OF GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCI IN PREGNANT-WOMEN - OWN EXPERIENCE AND REVIEW

We have compared an enzyme immunoassay (ICON Strep B, Hybritech) with cultures for demonstration of genital carriage of group B streptococci (GBS) in pregnant women, and studied the relationship between vaginal and rectal carriage of this organism. Pertinent literature has also b een reviewed. Two hundred pregnant women at gestational week 17 were i ncluded. Swabs from the uterine cervix were tested for GBS by ICON Str ep B immunoassay and ordinary cultures on blood agar. Additional swabs from the rectum were tested by cultures. The percentage of women with GBS in cervical secretions was 13.5% (27/200) by cultures and 4% (8/2 00) by the ICON Strep B immunoassay. The overall sensitivity of the im munoassay was 7.4%, and the specificity 96.5%. In conclusion, the sens itivity of rapid enzyme immunoassays is too low for accurate screening of GBS in the genital tract of pregnant women.