Maternal age and body mass index as risk factors for rectovaginal colonization with group B streptococci.

Objective: To examine the effect of including maternal age and body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) as additional risk factors in the traditional risk-based strategy at term pregnancies consisting of previous early-onset group B streptococcus (GBS) disease, GBS bacteriuria during pregnancy, maternal temperature of 38.0°C or more intrapartum, and rupture of membranes of 18 h or longer.

Methods: A secondary analysis of a Danish cohort including 902 pregnant women.

Polymerase chain reaction for Group B Streptococci (GBS) at labor highly correlates with vaginal GBS load.

Objective: To explore factors associated with a high vaginal GBS load during labor considering (1) the recto-vaginal GBS load at 35-37 weeks' gestation determined by culture and (2) the vaginal GBS colonization determined by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay during labor.

Methods: From an unselected cohort of 902 pregnant women, we obtained (1) recto-vaginal swabs for culture of GBS at 35-37 weeks' gestation (GBS), (2) vaginal swabs for GBS PCR detection at labor (PCR), and (3) vaginal swabs for culture of GBS at labor (GBS). The GBS load was classified semi quantitatively according to a culture protocol without prior broth enrichment of the swab samples: none (0), few (+), some (++), or many (+++) GBS colonies.

Improvement of selection of pregnant women for intrapartum polymerase chain reaction screening for vaginal Group B Streptococci (GBS) colonization by adding GBS urine screening at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate whether systematic antepartum screening for Group B Streptococci (GBS) by urine culture improves the risk factor-based selection of pregnant women for intrapartum GBS screening with a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted between April 2013 and June 2014. GBS colonization judged by urine culture at 35-37 weeks of gestation was compared with the result of a vaginal GBS PCR test at labor as outcome.

Urine dipstick for predicting intrapartum recto-vaginal colonisation by group B streptococci.

Introduction: In pregnant women, bacteriuria with group B streptococci (GBS) may be associated with a high degree of recto-vaginal GBS colonisation and therefore an increased risk of early-onset GBS disease. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of routine use of dipstick urine analysis during pregnancy for prediction of recto-vaginal GBS colonisation at the time of labour.

Methods: Among 902 unselected Danish pregnant women, we obtained results from 1) dipstick urine analysis, 2) urine culture carried out during pregnancy, if indicated, and 3) recto-vaginal culture at labour.

Risk-based approach versus culture-based screening for identification of group B streptococci among women in labor.

Objective: To compare a risk-based and culture-based screening approach for identification of group B streptococci (GBS) vaginal colonization using an intrapartum rectovaginal culture as the reference standard.

Methods: Pregnant women attending the prenatal clinic at Lillebaelt Hospital, Kolding, Denmark, between April 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, were invited to participate in a prospective observational study. For prepartum culture-based screening, vaginal and rectal culture samples were obtained and, for reference, standard, paired vaginal and rectal culture samples were collected during labor.

Using virtual-reality simulation to ensure basic competence in hysteroscopy.

Background: Hysteroscopy is a technically challenging procedure. Specialty curricula of obstetrics and gynaecology appraise hysteroscopy for trainees but there is no present evidence-based training program that certifies the fundamental technical skills before performance on patients. The objectives of this study were to develop and gather validity evidence for a simulation-based test that can ensure basic competence in hysteroscopy.

Group B streptococci cultured in urine during pregnancy associated with preterm delivery: a selection problem?

To investigate an association between Group B streptococci (GBS) in urine culture during pregnancy and preterm delivery. A population-based cohort consisted of all the pregnant women ( = 36,097) from the catchment area of Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark, during the period January 2002 -December 2012. The cohort of 34,285 singleton pregnancies used in this study was divided into three groups.

Number of colony forming units in urine at 35-37 weeks' gestation as predictor of the vaginal load of Group B Streptococci at birth.

Objective: To evaluate GBS colony numbers in the urine at 35-37 weeks' gestation to predict the load of GBS-colonization of the vagina at birth.

Study Design: In this prospective observational study, we included 902 unselected pregnant women. Exposure was GBS colony forming units (CFU) per mL urine at 35-37 weeks' gestation.

Intrapartum PCR assay versus antepartum culture for assessment of vaginal carriage of group B streptococci in a Danish cohort at birth.

The aim of this study was to compare the performances of two strategies for predicting intrapartum vaginal carriage of group B streptococci (GBS). One strategy was based on an antepartum culture and the other on an intrapartum polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We conducted a prospective observational study enrolling 902 pregnant women offered GBS screening before delivery by two strategies.

Risk-based screening combined with a PCR-based test for group B streptococci diminishes the use of antibiotics in laboring women.

Objective: To assess the performance of a polymerase chain reaction - group B streptococci test (PCR-GBS test) - in deciding antibiotic prophylaxis in term laboring women.

Study Design: In this observational study, we enrolled 902 unselected Danish term pregnant women. During labor, midwives obtained vaginal swabs that were used for both GBS cultures (reference standard) and for the PCR-GBS test.