Abstract

Background: The detection of Streptococcus agalactiae colonization during pregnancy is important in order to prevent neonatal infections and reduce mortality rates.
Methods: A highly sensitive (up to 1,000 UFC/mL), fully automated, and cost effective cylB specific real-time PCR protocol was developed for the detection of S. agalactiae in anal and vaginal swabs of pregnant women.
Results: From the 62 test subjects, 24 were considered positive by PCR (38%) and 14 by culture (24%; p = 0.0015).
Conclusions: The observed discrepancies and the reduced turnaround time justifies molecular screening for S. agalactiae.

DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2015.150221