COUNTERCURRENT IMMUNOELECTROPHORESIS (CIE) IN GROUP B STREPTOCOCCAL DISEASE

Abstract

CIE was utilized for the detection of type and group specific antigens in the body fluids of 38 infants with Group B streptococcal infection. Serum, CSF, or urine from 27 of 38 (71%) contained detectable type or group specific antigen. Serum was positive by CIE in 10 of 24 patients tested and 7 of these 10 infants died (70%). Only 2 of 14 (14%) infants without detectable antigen in their serum died (p<.05). Antigen was detected in the CSF from 7 of 10 infants tested and none of these patients died. Antigen was detectable by CIE in 14 of 15 (93%) of urine samples which had been concentrated using an Amicorn® filter. In 9 instances, samples of urine, serum and CSF were available from the same patient and 8 had antigen detected in one or more body fluids. Urine was positive in all 8 patients and in 3 instances, was the only positive fluid. Of 27 samples with detectable antigen, 10 were positive using both group and type specific antisera, 10 were positive only with the type specific antiserum and 7 were positive only with the grouping antiserum. The type antigen detected in the CSF or serum always corresponded to the Lancefield type of the infecting organism. Some cross reactions occurred when testing concentrated urine but the type specific reaction corresponding to the organisms cultured was always strongest. The detection of Group B Streptococcal antigens in the body fluids by CIE can be performed rapidly and provides useful diagnostic information.