Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) of group B Streptococcus (GBS) cultures at 35–37 weeks of gestation relative to GBS colonization status at delivery.
Methods: Rectovaginal swabs from 221 women at labor in four Lisbon hospitals were collected for GBS screening according to the CDC guidelines.
Results: The PPV was 24.4%. IAP was administered to 100% of prenatally GBS positive women. There was no case of early onset GBS disease (EOD).
Conclusions: Poor accuracy of prenatal cultures in identifying true candidates for IAP highlights the need for Portuguese clinical and laboratory guidelines to prevent EOD and antibiotic overtreatment of pregnant women.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Albertina Louro (National Institute of Health); Conceição Telhado, Mariana Loureiro, Glória Carvalhosa, Mafalda Lucas, Maria João Santos, Maria do Céu Ramalho, Rosa Portela, Luís Mós, Anaílde Araújo, and Cristina Castel Branco (CUF Descobertas Hospital); Ana Lima, and Patrícia Silva (Maternity Alfredo da Costa); Graciete Novais, Elsa Guerreiro, Cecília Artilheiro, Pedro Mendes, António Fatia, and Lilita Miranda (Fernando Fonseca Hospital) for collecting/processing clinical samples.