A comparative study assessing the efficacy and acceptability of anorectal swabs for antenatal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening

Low vaginal swabs versus Anorectal swabs for antenatal screening for Group B Streptococcus in Australian women at 35 to 37 weeks gestation, assessing the detection rate and pain/acceptability scores of the two swabs.

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12611000863932

Enrollment

200

Registered

2011-08-15

Start date

2008-08-04

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

For antenatal screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS), current guidelines from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommend both a low vaginal swab (LVS) and an anorectal swab (ARS) to be taken. The addition of an ARS to a LVS is reported to increase the GBS detection rate compared to performing a LVS alone. Despite these recommendations, many clinicians perform a LVS alone for GBS screening, and patient and physician acceptability may be responsible. We aim to assess the pain and acceptability of the LVS and ARS, and the detection rate for GBS from each swab.

Interventions

Anorectal swab (ARS) for GBS, taken once only at 35-37 weeks gestation, immediately after taking the Low vagina swab (at the same session). All women undergo both the anorectal swab and low vaginal swab.

Study design

Allocation

Non-randomised trial

Intervention model

Single group

Primary purpose

Diagnosis

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

0 to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

Pregnant women at 35-37 weeks gestation Planning vaginal delivery

Exclusion criteria

Planning elective Caesarean delivery

Outcome results