Susceptibility profiles and correlation with pneumococcal serotypes soon after implementation of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Brazil.

Objectives: To evaluate the susceptibility patterns among Streptococcus pneumoniae recovered during the years 2010-2012 and to correlate these with serotypes.

Methods: Pneumococci from invasive sites were serotyped by sequential multiplex PCR and/or Quellung reaction. Etest strips were used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations, and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines were used for interpretation.

Group B Streptococcus detection: comparison of PCR assay and culture as a screening method for pregnant women.

Streptococcus agalactiae or group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important causal agents of serious neonatal infections. Numerous assays have been evaluated for GBS screening in order to validate a fast and efficient method. The aim of this study was to compare the culture technique (established as the gold standard) with the molecular method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers (atr gene).