Streptococcus Agalactiae

Group B, beta-hemolytic streptococci

Characteristics/Epidemiology

Antiphagocytic polysaccharide capsule

Carried in vagina in females and urethral mucous membrane in males, and in GI (esp. rectum)

Pathogenesis/Transmission

Transmission: Infected mother to baby at birth, and sexually

Clinical significance

Leading cause of meningitis and septicemia in neonates.

Also causes pneumonia in neonates.

Occasionally causes endometritis in post-partum

Occasionally causes pneumonia or septicemia in immunocompromised persons.

Occasionally causes lower extremity infection in DM.

Laboratory identification

Gram-postive

Catalase negative

beta-hemolytic

Hydrolyze sodium hippurate

Treatment

Remains sensitive to penicillin G and ampicillin

Prevention/immunity

Pregnant carriers should be treated with ampicillin during labor if risk factors such as premature rupture of membranes or prolonged labor are present.

Things to revise/add later:

Bibliography: LWW microbiology