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Group B streptococcal infection, also known as Group B streptococcal disease or just Group B strep infection, is the infectious disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae. Streptococcus agalactiae is the most common human pathogen belonging to group B of the Lancefield classification of streptococci —hence the name of group B ...
The plural term group B streptococci (referring to the serotypes) and the singular term group B streptococcus (referring to the single species) are both commonly used synonymously with S. agalactiae even though S. halichoeri and S. pseudoporcinus are also group B Streptococci. These species test positive as group B, but are not frequently ...
Similarly, group B streptococcus typically denotes Streptococcus agalactiae, although minor beta-hemolytic group B streptococci like S. troglodytidis exist. [15] While most streptococcal illnesses in humans originate from species adapted to humans, such as S. pneumoniae or S. pyogenes, there are zoonotic species capable of causing infections. [15]
Infections caused by Group A streptococci are generally more mild than infections caused by Group B streptococci. The most common Group A streptococcus infections can range from strep throat to pneumonia to cellulitis. Group B streptococcus is more commonly found in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts, and can also be transmitted vertically ...
In the medical setting, the most important groups are the alpha-hemolytic streptococci S. pneumoniae and Streptococcus viridans groups, and the beta-hemolytic streptococci of Lancefield groups A and B (also known as "group A strep" and "group B strep"). Table: Medically relevant streptococci [10]
In up to a third of cases, the underlying strep infection may not have caused any symptoms. [citation needed] The rate of development of rheumatic fever in individuals with untreated strep infection is estimated to be 3%. The incidence of recurrence with a subsequent untreated infection is substantially greater (about 50%). [60]
Group B streptococcus is an important cause of bacteremia in neonates, often immediately following birth. [17] Viridans streptococci species are normal bacterial flora of the mouth. Viridans strep can cause temporary bacteremia after eating, toothbrushing, or flossing. [17]
One risk for Group B streptococcal infection (GBS) is preterm rupture of membranes. Screening women for GBS (via vaginal and rectal swabbing) and treating culture positive women with intrapartum chemoprophylaxis is reducing the number of neonatal sepsis caused by GBS. [citation needed]