Comparison of Panther Fusion and BD MAX Group B Streptococcus Assays

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of infection in newborns in the United States, which can result in septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia. n the United States, universal screening and intrapartum antibiotic treatment for positive women has been implemented to prevent newborn disease.

Historically bacterial culture has been the approach used for antenatal screening; however, culture is a slow process and compared to molecular assays offers suboptimal sensitivity. Demand for more sensitive testing and faster turnaround times is increasing. This is placing pressure on laboratories as many experience workforce shortages. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for the detection of GBS have the potential to remedy the limitations of GBS culture.

In this education video, originally presented as a webinar in 2019, Dr. Greg Berry (Co-Director, Clinical Microbiology Service at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons) returns to further explore GBS screening and the value of NAAT testing.  Dr. Berry shares the results of a 2019 study that compares workflow and the clinical performance of two FDA approved NAATs for GBS, the Panther Fusion and BD MAX.