Is streptococcus B6 causing any diseases?

Answer 1

What is group B strep?

Group B strep (GBS) is a bacteria also known as Streptococcus agalactiae. This type of bacteria (not to be confused with group A strep which causes "strep throat") is commonly found in the human body, and it usually does not cause any symptoms. However, in certain cases it can be a dangerous cause of various infections that affect pregnant women and their newborn infants. Group B strep infection can also afflict adults with certain chronic medical conditions.

What causes group B strep infection?

Group B strep can normally be found in 10%-35% of all healthy adult women. It can commonly be found in the intestine, vagina, and/or rectal area. Most women who are carriers of the bacteria (colonized) will not have any symptoms; however, under certain circumstances, both infection of both the mother and/or newborn can develop.

How is group B strep transmitted?

In newborns, GBS infection is acquired through direct contact with the bacteria while in the uterus or during delivery; thus the infection is transmitted from the colonized mother to her newborn. However, not every baby born to a colonized mother will develop GBS infection. Statistics show that about one of every 100-200 babies born to a GBS-colonized mother will develop GBS infection. There are maternal risk factors, however, that increase the chance of transmitting the disease to the newborn:

labor or membrane rupture before 37 weeks

membrane rupture more than 18 hours before delivery

urinary tract infection with GBS during pregnancy

previous baby with GBS infection

fever during labor

positive culture for GBS colonization at 35-37 weeks

Group B strep infection is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

What are the symptoms of group B strep infection?

In newborns, most GBS infections occur during the first week of life, often during the first 24 hours. Infection during this period is termed early-onset disease. If group B strep infection occurs from 1 week to 3 months of age, it is termed late-onset disease. Signs and symptoms that may be observed with GBS infection include

fever,

breathing problems/grunting sounds,

seizures,

limpness or stiffness,

heart rate and blood pressure abnormalities,

poor feeding, and

fussiness.

Infection with GBS in babies may result in bloodstream infection (sepsis), lung infection (pneumonia), infection of the fluid and lining surrounding the brain (meningitis), or occasionally death.

In pregnant women, infection with GBS may cause urinary tract infection, infection of the uterus and placenta, as well as stillbirth. In some individuals with chronic medical conditions, such as cancer or Diabetes, GBS may cause pneumonia, urinary tract infection, sepsis, and/or skin infection (cellulitis).

How is group B strep infection diagnosed?

In pregnant women, routine screening for colonization with GBS is recommended. This test is generally performed between 35-37 weeks of gestation. The test involves using a swab to collect a sample from both the vaginal and rectal area, and results are usually available within 24-72 hours.

In newborns, GBS infection can be diagnosed with blood tests and/or spinal-fluid analysis. Similar testing may be used to diagnose the disease in adults.

What is the treatment for group B strep?

For women who test positive for GBS during pregnancy and for those with certain risk factors for developing or transmitting GBS infection during pregnancy, intravenous antibiotics are generally recommended at the time of labor (before delivery). The administration of antibiotics has been shown to significantly decrease GBS infection in newborns. If a pregnant carrier of GBS receives intravenous antibiotics prior to delivery, her baby has a one in 4,000 chance of developing GBS infection. Without antibiotics, her baby has a one in 200 chance of developing GBS infection.

In adults who develop GBS infection, whether they are pregnant women or individuals with chronic medical conditions, intravenous antibiotics are also recommended.

At this point in time, the best treatment for GBS infection is prevention through routine screening during pregnancy. This testing has served to decrease the overall number of GBS infections in newborns, and there is currently research underway to develop a GBS vaccine.

Group B Strep At A Glance

Group B strep are bacteria found normally in the intestine, vagina, and/or rectal area in 10%-35% of all healthy women.

Most women who are colonized by the bacteria have no symptoms.

In certain cases, infection of both the mother and/or infant can develop.

The infection is spread to infants before or during delivery.

Infection with GBS in babies may result in serious conditions including sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, or occasionally death.

In pregnant women, routine screening for colonization with GBS is recommended.

Infection is treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics.