Clinicians get a faster GBS test

Article

A new, rapid point-of-care test for group B streptococcus colonization (Cepheid GenXpert), was recently evaluated in a multicenter trial and reported at the annual meeting of the Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics/Gynecology (IDSOG), held in Monterey, Calif. Dr. Rodney Edwards from the University of Florida reported that the sensitivity of the new test was 91% and the specificity was 96%, used in both antepartum and intrapartum clinical settings. Intrapartum tests were performed by Labor and Delivery nurses after a short training session. Using real-time PCR technology, results are usually available in 70 minutes, which should be timely enough to begin antibiotic prophylaxis for those mothers found to be colonized. Costs of the new technology, which has just been approved by the FDA, vary by locality, but average around $40 per specimen run.

A new, rapid point-of-care test for group B streptococcus colonization (Cepheid GenXpert), was recently evaluated in a multicenter trial and reported at the annual meeting of the Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics/Gynecology (IDSOG), held in Monterey, Calif. Dr. Rodney Edwards from the University of Florida reported that the sensitivity of the new test was 91% and the specificity was 96%, used in both antepartum and intrapartum clinical settings. Intrapartum tests were performed by Labor and Delivery nurses after a short training session. Using real-time PCR technology, results are usually available in 70 minutes, which should be timely enough to begin antibiotic prophylaxis for those mothers found to be colonized. Costs of the new technology, which has just been approved by the FDA, vary by locality, but average around $40 per specimen run.

Recent Videos
First US national HPV conference highlights advances in cancer prevention | Image Credit: uchealth.com.
Mitchell Creinin, MD, reports estetrol pill eases menstrual symptoms | Image Credit: health.ucdavis.edu
1 expert is featured in this series.
Susanna Mitro, PhD, reveals ethnic disparities in uterine fibroid diagnosis | Image Credit: divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org.
Shayna Mancuso, DO, highlights the real impact of menopause | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Jihong Liu, ScD, explains how to improve perinatal outcomes in COVID patients | Image Credit: sc.edu.
1 expert is featured in this series.
Jihong Liu, ScD, highlights adverse perinatal outcomes linked to the COVID pandemic | Image Credit: sc.edu.
Experts highlight infant health benefits from minor diet changes in pregnancy | Image Credit: ohsu.edu.
Connie Stark, RNC, PNC, provides fertility preservation insights for endometriosis patients | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.