PCR targeting 16S rRNA, <i>cfb</i>, and <i>hylB</i> for group B Streptococcus detection in women with 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid molecular technique for pathogen detection, but its application in detecting group B Streptococcus (GBS) requires further exploration. This study assessed the diagnostic performance of the PCR method for GBS detection in pregnant women with 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. This study enrolled 116 women at 35–37 weeks of pregnancy and simultaneously collected two vaginal swab samples for GBS detection via culture and PCR methods. Through the culture method, 21 (18.1%) samples were positive for GBS. Moreover, 24 (20.7%), 23 (19.8%), and 23 (19.8%) samples were positive for GBS according to PCR methods targeting 16S rRNA, cfb, and hylB, respectively. The results of PCR-based GBS detection of 16S rRNA (Kappa value = 0.917, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), cfb (Kappa value = 0.944, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), and hylB (Kappa value = 0.944, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) were consistent with those of the culture method. The sensitivity and specificity were 1.000 and 0.968 for the PCR method targeting 16S rRNA, 1.000 and 0.979 for cfb, and 1.000 and 0.979 for hylB, respectively. PCR targeting 16S rRNA, <i>cfb</i>, and <i>hylB</i> may serve as a reliable diagnostic method for GBS detection in women with 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy.