Group B Strep (GBS) is a bacteria often found in the digestive tract, and the vagina and rectum. When Streptococcus agalactiae is found in pregnant women, treatment is advised, since GBS can negatively affect newborn babies.
Group B Strep can harmlessly inhabit the vagina, but it can also cause infections and negative symptoms, though this remains controversial between practitioners.
It is estimated that a quarter of all healthy adult women have GBS present in the vagina1 Can cause infection and inflammation2. Cause of urinary tract infection3.
Clinical trials for a vaccine are occurring.
GBS has good adherence capacities4 on epithelial cells, extracellular matrix, and forms biofilms. Neutral pH enhanced binding to vaginal epithelial cells, fibrinogen and fibronectin. GBS inactivates certain genes to increase its ability to adhere to cells. 5
References
- 1.Englund JA. Maternal Immunization: Protecting Vulnerable Populations. In: The Vaccine Book. Elsevier; 2016:183-203. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-802174-3.00010-2
- 2.Bianchi-Jassir F, Seale AC, Kohli-Lynch M, et al. Preterm Birth Associated With Group B Streptococcus Maternal Colonization Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Published online November 6, 2017:S133-S142. doi:10.1093/cid/cix661
- 3.Ulett GC, Webb RI, Ulett KB, et al. Group BStreptococcus(GBS) Urinary Tract Infection Involves Binding of GBS to Bladder Uroepithelium and Potent but GBS‐Specific Induction of Interleukin 1α. J INFECT DIS. Published online March 15, 2010:866-870. doi:10.1086/650696
- 4.Bodaszewska-Lubas M, Brzychczy-Wloch M, Adamski P, Gosiewski T, Strus M, Heczko P. Adherence of group B streptococci to human rectal and vaginal epithelial cell lines in relation to capsular polysaccharides as well as alpha-like protein genes – pilot study. Pol J Microbiol. 2013;62(1):85-90. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23829083
- 5.Park SE, Jiang S, Wessels MR. CsrRS and Environmental pH Regulate Group B Streptococcus Adherence to Human Epithelial Cells and Extracellular Matrix. Camilli A, ed. Infect Immun. Published online September 4, 2012:3975-3984. doi:10.1128/iai.00699-12
