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Group B Streptococcus (agalactiae)
Differentiated from group A streptococcus by group specific cell wall antigens, a smaller zone of beta hemolysis (yellow/buttery colonies), and is resistant to bacitracin
Capsule
Antibodies produced by our immune system target antigens on this. This doesn’t actually provide protection from our immune system.
Group B
Colonizes the gastrointestinal, genital, and urinary tracts. Typically infects newborns who do not have the specific antibodies to target it but can infect adults usually through wound infections. Produces enzymes whose roles are not yet understood
Neonatal Bacteremia
Bacterial infection in the blood in newborns
Meningitis
Swelling in membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Test
Used to identify group B Streptococcus. Antibodies bind to antigens that are only found in the cell walls of Group B Streptococcus.
Treatment of Group B Streptococcus
Given penicillin or ampicillin, preventative use of penicillin during childbirth reduces newborn infections
