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
| Condition type | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Affected systems | Reproductive |
| Sexually Transmissible | |
| Genitourinary Incidence | very common |
| Age group affected |
|
Microbial information
| Anaerobe / Aerobe | Anaerobe |
|---|---|
| Gram stain | Gram-positive |
| Best tests to detect |
|
| Pathogen of |
| Commensal of (Can naturally inhabit, but not necessarily as a healthy addition) |
|
| Optimal growth pH | |
| Conditions correlated with |
|
| Cellular adherence capacities | High |
| Found in healthy vaginas | Yes |
| Biofilm-forming capacities |
|
| Cellular Morphology |
|
| Microbe Motility | Non-motile |
| Colony Colour |
|
| Substances Produced | |
| Sexually Transmissible | Possibly |
What are the symptoms of Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS)?
What causes Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS)?
- No causes found for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS), yet.
What are the risk factors associated with Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS)?
- No risk factors for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS), yet.
How do you diagnose Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS)?
- No diagnoses found for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS), yet.
How do you treat Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS)?
Treatments for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS) are only for practitioners and people who purchased the book Killing BV and Killing BV for men.
Which treatments are likely to be ineffective for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS)?
- No resistances found for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS), yet.
What complications are associated with Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS)?
- No complications found for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS), yet.