Bacteria

Group B Streptococcus

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Group B Streptococcus, Group B Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus, Streptococcus agalactiae

  • See also
  1. Group B Streptococcus Neonatal Sepsis
  2. Group B Streptococcus Prophylaxis
  3. Streptococcus
  4. Gram Positive Bacteria
  • Epidemiology
  1. Group B Streptococcus is the most common US cause of Neonatal Sepsis and Meningitis
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Group B Streptococcus is a facultative Anaerobe, Gram Positive, cocci
    1. Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus
    2. Lancefield Group B (based on C Carbohydrate cell wall Antigen)
  2. Women are normally colonized with Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in the vagina and Rectum
    1. Typically asymptomatic, although GBS may cause Urinary Tract Infections in healthy women
    2. Newborns may be GBS infected via vertical transmission during delivery
      1. Group B Streptococcus Neonatal Sepsis
      2. Group B Streptococcal Pneumonia
      3. Group B Streptococcal Meningitis
    3. Several strategies have been developed to prevent neonatal GBS infection
      1. Group B Streptococcus Culture at 36 weeks gestation
      2. Group B Streptococcus Prophylaxis in peripartum period after Rupture of Membranes
  3. Immunocompromised patients may also become infected with Group B Streptococcus (e.g. Pneumonia, Sepsis)
    1. Risk Factors for GBS Infection in Immunocompromised Patients
      1. Diabetes Mellitus
      2. Cancer
      3. End-Stage Renal Disease
      4. Cirrhosis
      5. Elderly Nursing Home Patients
    2. Most Common GBS Infections in Non-Pregnant Patients
      1. Bacteremia and Sepsis without focus
      2. Cellulitis and other soft tissue and Skin Infections
    3. Other GBS Infections
      1. Endocarditis
      2. Osteomyelitis
      3. Pneumonia
      4. Meningitis
      5. Urinary Tract Infection
  • References
  1. Raabe (2019) Microbiol Spectr 7(2):10 +PMID: 30900541 [PubMed]