Resources for Laboratorians
On June 25, 2019, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released updated guidance for prevention of early-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease in newborns. On July 8, 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new clinical report for management of infants at risk for GBS disease. All GBS prevention guidance found on CDC’s website pertains to the 2010 guidelines only. The American Society of Microbiology is currently reviewing GBS laboratory guidance. In the meantime, microbiologists should continue to follow the guidance included in the 2010 GBS guidelines.
2010 Guidelines
Questions and Answers Relevant to Laboratorians
Algorithms
- Algorithm for recommended laboratory testing for prenatal screening for group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization pdf icon[1 page].
- Customized Flowcharts for 2010 Guidelines (algorithms for pigmented broth, non-pigmented broth, NAAT, etc.)
Tables
The widespread use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent early-onset group B strep disease has raised concern about the development of antibiotic resistance among group B strep isolates. Learn more about testing for group B strep isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility.
- Procedures for collecting clinical specimens for culture of group B Streptococcus (GBS) at 35–37 weeks’ gestation pdf icon[1 page].
- Procedures for processing clinical specimens for culture of group B Streptococcus (GBS) pdf icon[1 page].
- Procedures for clindamycin and erythromycin susceptibility testing of group B streptococcal (GBS) isolates, when ordered for penicillin-allergic patients pdf icon[1 page].
- Identification of group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteriuria in pregnant women pdf icon[1 page].
Slide Sets
- Early-onset Group B Streptococcal Disease Prevention: Procedures for Laboratories ppt icon[5.34 MB, 54 pages] | PDF pdf icon[2.26 MB, 54 pages] 508 compliant
Clinical Overview
Standard Operating Procedures for 2010 Guidelines for Laboratorians
Standard operating procedures, developed by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and CDC’s Streptococcus Laboratory, are available to assist laboratorians in processing group B Streptococcus specimens. The five documents are consistent with the recommendations in the 2010 GBS guidelines, but are tailored for use in different settings, depending on the procedures and assays used in each laboratory (e.g. pigmented or non-pigmented broth, sub-culture versus serologic or molecular methods, etc.).
Note: The Word documents can be modified to adapt for use in individual laboratories. The PDFs are provided simply for Section 508 accessibility.
- Using non-pigmented broth and only subculture for isolation and identification of GBS
Word word icon[9 pages] | PDF pdf icon[8 pages] - Using non-pigmented broth and serologic or molecular testing for identification of GBS
Word word icon[9 pages] | PDF pdf icon[8 pages] - Using pigmented broth and only subculture for isolation and identification of GBS
Word word icon[9 pages] | PDF pdf icon[8 pages] - Using pigmented broth and serologic or molecular testing for identification of GBS
Word word icon[9 pages] | PDF pdf icon[8 pages] - Using non-pigmented broth and only NAAT for identification of GBS
Word word icon[9 pages] | PDF pdf icon[8 pages]