American Society for Microbiology Provides 2020 Guidelines for Detection and Identification of Group B <i>Streptococcus</i>
Laura Filkins, Jocelyn R. Hauser, Barbara Robinson-Dunn, Robert Tibbetts, Bobby L. Boyanton, Paula A. Revell
Abstract
Maternal colonization with group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a primary risk factor for early-onset-disease (EOD) GBS infection in infants, and intrapartum prophylaxis reduces neonatal infection. The guidelines for GBS screening and intrapartum prophylaxis were last revised in 2010. In 2019, the CDC transferred stewardship of the GBS laboratory testing recommendations to the American Society for Microbiology. For the complete laboratory guidelines for GBS screening specimen collection and handling, organism detection and identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), we direct readers to the 2020 Guidelines for the Detection and Identification of Group B Streptococcus (1). Here, we highlight updates found in the 2020 GBS laboratory guidelines.