Group B Streptococcus

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is the infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae. Group B streptococcal infection can cause serious illness and sometimes death, especially in newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. In general, GBS is a harmless commensal bacterium, being part of the human microbiota colonizing the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of up to 30% of healthy human adults (asymptomatic carriers). Vaginal colonization rates range from 4 to 36%, with most studies reporting over 20%.

GBS is the main cause of bacterial infections in newborns, such as septicemia, pneumonia, and meningitis, which can lead to death or long-term after-effects. Infections in newborns are separated into two clinical types: early-onset disease (EOGBS) and late-onset disease (LOGBS). EOGBS manifests from 0 to 7 living days in the newborn, with most of the cases being apparent within 24 hours. LOGBS starts between 7 and 90 days after birth. EOGBS is acquired through exposure of the fetus or baby to GBS from the vagina either in utero or during birth.

Available Test

Group B Streptococcus Panel.

Documents

Info Sheet

Requisition Form

Test Information

Organism List:

Staphylococcus agalactiae.

Clinical Utility:

Retrogen offers early & accurate detection, rapid turnaround times, and only requires a single, non-invasive sample collection. Your referring physician will be provided with a detailed, comprehensive report that leads to actionable decisions and forward treatment options.

Method:

Retrogen carries out real-time molecular PCR on DNA extracted from vaginal swabs to screen for microorganisms. This quantitative approach uses TaqMan chemistry from Life Technologies to detect pathogen-specific gene sequences.

Ordering

Test ID:

Turnaround Time:

Preferred Specimen:

#8003.

24-48 hours.

Vaginal swab.

Billing

CPT Codes:

Billing Information:

87081, 87150. MIC performed add charge 87186 or 87184.

View Billing Information

Web Resources

Mayo Clinic Staff (Updated 2012 February 25). Vagina: What's normal, what's not.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vagina/MY01913/METHOD=print through http:/ www.mayoclinic.com. Accessed March 2013.
Gore, H. (Updated 2011 October 27). Vaginitis.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/257141-overview through http:// emedicine.medscape.com.
Samra-Latif, O. (Updated 2012 January 13). Vulvovaginitis
.http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/270872-overview through http://emedicine. medscape.com. Accessed March 2013
Leber, M. and Tirumani, A. (Updated 2012 April 16). Vulvovaginitis in Emergency Medicine.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/797497-overview through http://emedicine.medscape.com. Accessed March 2013
CDC
Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines. MMWR Recomm Rep 2010 (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5912a1.htm) 59(No. RR-12).

References

Amsel R, Totten PA, Spiegel CA, et al. Nonspecific vaginitis: Diagnostic criteria and microbial and epidemiologic associations. Am J Med 74(1):14-22, 1983.
Verstraelen H, Verhelsy R. Bacterial vaginosis: An update on diagnosis and treatment. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 7(9):1109-1124, 2009.
Spiegel C, Amsel R, Holmes K. Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis by direct gram stain of vaginal fluid. J. Clin. Microbiol. July 1983 vol. 18 no. 1, 170-177.
Workowski, KA; Berman, S; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) (17 December 2010). "Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2010." MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports / Centers for Disease Control. 59 (RR-12): 1-110.
Warner L, Klausner JD, Rietmeijer CA, et al. Effect of a brief video intervention on incident infec- tion among patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics. PLoS Med 2008;5:919-27..
Clement, Meredith E.; Okeke, N. Lance; Hicks, Charles B. (2014). "Treatment of Syphilis". JAMA. 312 (18): 1905.

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS