Polymerase chain reaction as screening method for group b streptococcus in third trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of a rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in order to determine maternal group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in the third trimester of pregnancy. Material and Methods: This prospective study reviewed 70 healthy women with term pregnancies who were consecutively admitted to the study center for routine prenatal care from June 2012 to December 2012. Results: The prenatal GBS colonization rate was 15.7% by the PCR technique. Perinatal complications including abortus imminens, fetal growth restriction, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, meconium stained amniotic fluid and chorioamnionitis were significantly more frequent in women with GBS positivity (respectively p=0.011, p=0.023, p=0.001, p=0.001, p=0.023 and p=0.001). Puerperal fever was significantly more frequent in women who were GBS positive (p=0.001). The need for neonatal intensive care unit and neonatal pneumonia were significantly more frequent for the neonates that were born to women with GBS positivity (p=0.001 for both). Conclusion: The real-time PCR assay can be defined as an accurate test to identify the GBS carriers at the third trimester of pregnancy. This easily applicable tool could enhance the exact identification of candidates for chemoprophylaxis, including women carrying a risk for premature rupture of membranes or preterm labor.