[Prophylaxis of neonatal sepsis caused by group B streptococci--fast method of positivity detection and its clinical...

Asymtomatic infection with group B streptococci in pregnant women, the screening methods concerning colonized patients and the therapeutic approach towards then are still under discussion.

To determine the effectiveness and clinical use of the selective media Granada in the diagnosis of beta-haemolytic contamination in pregnant women.

The study is prospective and it comprises one year period. The patients included are pregnant women in the second half of the pregnancy, with or without sings of preterm delivery. Vaginal smear was collected by both standard microbiological technique and selective media Granada. Sensitivity, time of first positive results and the practical use of both methods were compared. The effect of intrapartal prophylaxis with Cefazolin 3 x 2.0 g i.v. was taken into consideration.

The obtained results demonstrate that for the period of investigation the incidence of asymptomatic contamination with GBS in patients admitted to "Maichin Dom" Hospital is 6.2% for all pregnant women and 16% for the selected study group. The application of both microbiological methods demonstrated similar sensitivity. For the selective media the time needed for diagnose the presence of beta-haemolytic agent was significantly shorter (approximately 16 h). This results defines the media Granada as appropriate for clinical screening and selective prophylaxis of neonatal streptococcal infection.