Mullhaven Medical Laboratory Group B Streptococcus by Enriched Culture Method (ECM)

Pregnant and content

Culture of Group B Streptococcus

Pregnant and content

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the commonest cause of life-threatening infections in newborn babies in the UK. Most GBS infections can be prevented with intravenous antibiotics, given at the onset of labour. This reduces the likelihood of early-onset GBS infection developing in a baby born to a woman carrying GBS at the time of delivery from around 1 in 300 to less than 1 in 6000.

Babies are usually exposed to GBS shortly before or during birth. It is not understood why some babies are susceptible to the bacteria and develop infection, whilst others do not. What is clear, however, is that most GBS infections in newborn babies can be prevented by giving higher risk women intravenous antibiotics from the onset of labour until the baby is born. Complications that arise during a neonatal GBS infection are serious and can involve septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis, as well as visual and auditory problems and death in one out of every 20 babies who are infected. See Daily Mail Article  

GBS is a normal body commensal; normally GBS is harmless and needs no treatment. Approximately 30% of the population are colonised with the bacterium in their intestines. Approximately 25% of women of childbearing age carry GBS in the vaginal-rectal area at any one time.  

Testing for GBS at Mullhaven Medical Laboratory utilises the gold standard Enriched Culture Medium (ECM) specifically designed for the isolation of GBS in swabs. This method is not routinely provided by the NHS. Two swabs (lower vaginal and rectal) need to be cultured at 35-37 weeks’ gestation to best predict colonisation with GBS around the time of delivery.

The total cost of the test is Ł32.00 and results are usually available within 48 hours from receipt of samples. Reports are always sent as hard copies in the post to the patient and requesting/named Practitioner. In addition, results can also be conveyed by e-mail. Results can now also be sent by text.

A Free Postal Pack can be requested by clicking the link, or by telephone 01234 831115. An Instruction Leaflet may be downloaded by clicking the link.

Further information and support regarding GBS can be found on the Group B Strep Support Website

Group B Strep Support (GBSS) is a UK charity, founded in 1996. Their 3 main aims are to:

Offer information and support to pregnant women and families affected by GBS.
Inform health professionals and individuals how most GBS infections in newborn babies can be prevented.
Generate continued support for research into preventing GBS infections.

GBSS fully endorses the availability of reliable ante-natal GBS screening but has no links to nor receives any money from any particular laboratory. Indeed they hope many laboratories will offer this test and, as they do, they will provide details of their service.

GBSS Logo Contact Telephone 01444 416176

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