Vaginal-perineal cultures for detecting group B streptococci and extended spectrum β-lactamase producing bacteria in pregnancy.

Objective: To compare the detection rates of vaginal-perineal cultures for group B streptococci (GBS) with the standard vaginal and rectal cultures and evaluate the diagnostic yield of vaginal-perineal vs. rectal swabs for extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Study Design: Vagino-perineal and rectal swabs were collected cross-sectionally from pregnant women between 35-37 weeks gestation and tested for the presence of GBS and ESBL-E.

Controversies in hybrid banking: attitudes of Swiss public umbilical cord blood donors toward private and public banking.

Purpose: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) stored in public inventories has become an alternative stem cell source for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The potential use of autologous UCB from private banks is a matter of debate. In the face of the limited resources of public inventories, a discussion on "hybrid" public and private UCB banking has evolved.