Group B Streptococcus

Group B Streptococcus is a type of bacteria that is found in the lower intestine of 10-35% of all healthy adults and in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 10-35% of all healthy, adult women. Group B Strep should not be confused with Group A Strep, which causes strep throat. A person whose body carries Group B Strep bacteria but who does not show signs of infection is said to be "colonized" with Group B Strep. GBS colonization is not contagious. GBS bacteria are a normal part of the commonly found bacteria in the human body. Normally, the presence of GBS does not cause problems. In certain circumstances, however, Group B Strep bacteria can invade the body and cause serious infection; this is referred to as Group B Strep disease.

The GBS bacterium is the leading cause of life-threatening bacterial infection in newborns. A number of strains of the pathogen circulate in the community, and approximately 80% of cases of newborn infection are acquired during birth by direct mother-to-baby transmission. Research shows that GBS colonizes the anogenital mucosa of 25-40% of healthy women, and despite the introduction of antibiotic prophylaxis in the US, GBS still causes approximately 2500 cases of newborn infections per year. Of those infected 25% result in serious long-term consequences such as deafness, blindness and neurological damage, while 100 babies die in the first three months of life as a result of the infection. Approximately half of these deaths occur in the first week after birth, and consequently scientists believe that the introduction of effective vaccination is the only way to further reduce the number of cases of this life-threatening infection in the long term.

Unfortunately, no prevention plan is 100% effective. Some women with GBS escape detection because they do not have risk factors. All women should be tested for GBS with each pregnancy to ensure that the very best available protection is provided for their babies.