Evaluation of the Xpert® group B streptococcus real-time polymerase chain reaction assay compared to StrepB Carrot Broth™ for the rapid intrapartum detection of group B streptococcus colonization.

Xpert group B streptococcus (GBS) was compared to StrepB Carrot Broth™ (SCB) for the detection of intrapartum GBS colonization by dually collecting vaginal/rectal swabs from 231 women. Xpert GBS detected all of the cases (45, 19.5%), but 4 were missed by SCB. A rapid Xpert GBS service for women in labor would increase costs by ∼$55.000 per annum in our region.