The Impact of Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
In most cases, GBS is not harmful to women. However, in some instances, GBS can cause infections of the cervix or urinary tract in expectant mothers. Specifically, because this bacterium resides in the vagina, it can be transmitted to newborns during childbirth, leading to potentially dangerous conditions. Two clinical scenarios can occur when a newborn is infected with Group B Streptococcus:
Early-onset neonatal infection: Onset within the first 7 days after birth, typically within 12-48 hours, it can result in bloodstream infections, respiratory distress, meningitis, pneumonia, central nervous system involvement, and potentially lead to death. The cause is transmission from the mother during childbirth.
Late-onset neonatal infection: Onset in infants aged 7-90 days, it can lead to meningitis, bloodstream infections, joint infections, bone marrow infections, and pneumonia. The cause can be transmission during childbirth, through the digestive tract, or from the environment while breastfeeding or during hygiene practices.
When and How is GBS Testing Conducted?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States recommends routine vaginal GBS screening for all pregnant women. GBS screening should be performed between 36 weeks and 37 weeks 6 days of pregnancy.
Studies have shown that testing within 5 weeks before delivery is the most accurate in predicting GBS status at the time of childbirth. Testing before this timeframe is not meaningful as it does not accurately reflect whether the expectant mother is carrying GBS at the time of labor.
Currently, there are two diagnostic methods for GBS testing in use: culture with antibiotic susceptibility testing and Real-time PCR testing. The PCR method provides rapid results, in as little as 4 hours, saving a significant amount of time compared to the 3-5 days required for culture with antibiotic susceptibility testing.
GBS Testing with Real-time PCR for Faster Results than Culture with Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing
Fast GBS testing with "made in Vietnam" testing kits
The PCG® GBS Real-time PCR Kit is one of the few GBS diagnostic testing kits based on the Real-time PCR method, manufactured to IVD standards. The kit is produced at the Phacogen Factory - a medical equipment manufacturing facility operating under the quality management system of EN ISO 13485:2016 standards, certified by TUV Rheinland (Germany).
The kit boasts outstanding advantages such as a simple and easy-to-follow process, a PCR machine run time of only 2 hours, high sensitivity, and high specificity (100%). The testing kit can be used on various Real-time PCR systems suitable for different laboratory settings. In particular, Phacogen Factory has complete technological autonomy, producing the testing kit domestically, optimizing production costs, and ultimately saving testing expenses.
In addition to the PCG® GBS Real-time PCR, Phacogen Factory also produces a wide range of testing kits for screening and diagnosing various cancer markers, viruses, bacteria causing infectious diseases, and abnormalities in obstetrics.
