Development and analytical validation of real-time PCR for the detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women.
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Abstract
Background
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of invasive neonatal infection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the analytical validation of qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a means to detect GBS.
Methods
Genomic DNA (gDNA) was purified from 12 ATCC bacterial strains, two belonging to GBS and the remainder acting as negative controls. Additionally, gDNA was isolated from 21 strains of GBS from various serotypes (Ia, Ib and II-VIII). All gDNA was used to evaluate the analytical validation of the qPCR method employing a specific Taqman probe. Inclusivity, exclusivity, anticipated reportable range, the limit of detection and robustness were evaluated. The methods used are described in international guidelines and other existing reports. The performance of this qPCR method for detecting GBS was compared to other microbiological methods used with vaginal-rectal samples from pregnant women.
Results
Our qPCR method for detecting GBS was analytically validated. It has a limit of detection of 0.7 GE/μL and 100% analytical specificity. It detects all strains of GBS with the same level of performance as microbiological methods.
Conclusion
Data suggest that this qPCR method performs adequately as a means to detect GBS in vaginal-rectal swabs from pregnant women.
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Keywords
Group B Streptococcus, qPCR, Surface immunogenic protein, Analytical validation, Bacterial detection
Citation
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2020 Jun 09;20(1):352