The value of routine cervical cultures before transcervical chorionic villus sampling

In 226 women requesting chorionic villus sampling (CVS), routine cervical cultures were obtained before the procedure. Transcervical CVS was performed irrespective of the test results. The prevalence of potential pathogens in cervical cultures at our institution is low. Beta haemolytic Streptococcus was cultured in 3 per cent of the women. No pathogenic microorganisms were isolated in 64 per cent of the women. There was no relationship between culture results and the outcome of pregnancy. These observations suggest that adequate antiseptic cleansing of the genital tract is a suitable approach and there is no need to routinely perform cultures before CVS.