[Diagnosis of neonatal Streptococcus B infection by the latex test]

The detection of group B streptococcal soluble antigens was performed in 139 newborn infants suspected of infection. A qualitative agglutination test of sensitized latex particles (Wellcogen Strep B) was performed in the urine. The diagnosis of group B streptococcal infection was assessed by retrospective analysis of patient files using previously defined criteria. The correlation between the agglutination test result and the presence or absence of streptococcal infection was statistically significant; the test had a sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value of 76% and negative predictive value of 98%. This study confirms the interest of such a test in the early diagnosis of group B streptococcal infection in infants.