PIONEERING DIAGNOSTICS

Article Synopsis: The Impact of Universal Screening in Taiwan

We found a 2018 study, conducted after universal screening was implemented in Taiwan, to be informative and interesting. Read our synopsis below and click on the link under the synopsis to read the full article.

Universal screening for Group B streptococcus (GBS) was introduced in Taiwan in 2012. The screening program was implemented to detect GBS-carrying pregnant women early and provide intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.

This retrospective study looked at women who gave birth naturally between April 15, 2012 and December 31, 2013. Using government data, they calculated GBS prevalence among mothers, and morbidity and mortality among newborns to evaluate the impact of universal screening.

The authors concluded, “The implementation of the universal GBS screening program decreased the infection rate of neonatal early-onset GBS diseases. The effects of socioeconomic factors and high-risk pregnancy on early-onset GBS infections were weakened."1

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bioMérieux's Commitment to Mothers and Babies

Did you know? Improving maternal and infant health is among bioMérieux’s priority social responsibility commitments.

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bioMérieux’s CHROMID®Strepto B: An FDA-Cleared Test for GBS

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), culture-based screening, in combination with antibiotic prophylaxis, is one of the most effective strategies at reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality.3 Chromogenic media, like bioMérieux’s CHROMID®Strepto B, are a widely used tool in screening for GBS. CHROMID Strepto B is the only pre-poured agar that is FDA-cleared for detection of hemolytic and nonhemolytic GBS.

In 18-24 hours of incubation, CHROMID Strepto B provides:

  • Direct identification of group B Streptococci (GBS) strains
  • Detection of hemolytic and nonhemolytic GBS
  • Excellent performance for GBS prenatal screening in terms of nutrient capacity and sensitivity of detection
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHROMID STREPTO B →

REFERENCES
1. Hung LC, Kung PT, Chiu TH, et al. Risk factors for neonatal early-onset group B streptococcus-related diseases after the implementation of a universal screening program in Taiwan. BMC Public Health. 2018;18:438. doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5358-0 
2. Verani JR, McGee L, Schrag SJ. Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease: revised guidelines from CDC, 2010: Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010;59:1-32.
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Prevention of group B streptococcal early-onset disease in newborns. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 782. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;134:e19-40. https://www.acog.org/GBS. Published online on June 25, 2019. Accessed July 8, 2020.