EVALUATION OF A RAPID AGGLUTINATION-TEST FOR DETECTION OF GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCI IN THE GASTRIC ASPIRATES OF NEONATES

A rapid commercial agglutination test (Bactigen Strepto B) for detecti on of group B streptococci in gastric aspirates of neonates was evalua ted. One hundred and sixty-one gastric samples were analyzed with conv entional bacteriological techniques and with the commercial test after modification of the extraction technique. The sensitivity of the test relative to the culture technique was 90.4%, the specificity 94.2%, t he positive predictive value 70.3% and the negative predictive value 9 8.5%. The commercial test could be performed in one hour and showed go od sensitivity and specificity. If a test result was negative coloniza tion could be excluded, obviating the need for empirical antibiotic th erapy, whereas a positive result suggested colonization or neonatal in fection with group B streptococci.