Abstract
Group B streptococci (GBS) are normal flora of the vagina and intestines, but if a pregnant woman is infected with GBS in the vagina, miscarriage or premature delivery would occur or the newborn would develop severe GBS infection. We compared the detection rate in 125 samples between Pourmedia GBS agar (Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.) and CHROMagar strepB (Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.). The positivity rate of Nissui Separated Plate Sheep Blood Agar/BTB Lactose Agar medium was 16.8% (21/125 samples), whereas those of Pourmedia GBS agar and CHROMagar strepB were 16.8% (21/125 samples) and 17.6% (22/125 samples), respectively. It was found that the detection rate was improved by using Pourmedia GBS agar and CHROMagar strepB during GBS screening of vaginal swabs.
