what is gbs bacteria ?
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Florentino M. Tittle
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Group B Streptococcus (GBS), also known as Streptococcus agalactiae, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal and genital tracts of humans. While GBS is typically harmless in healthy adults, it can cause serious infections in newborns, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
In pregnant women, GBS can be transmitted to newborns during childbirth, leading to potentially life-threatening infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. As a result, pregnant women are often screened for GBS colonization during prenatal care to identify those at risk of transmitting the bacteria to their babies.
GBS infections in adults can also occur, particularly in individuals with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems. These infections may manifest as urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, or invasive diseases such as bloodstream infections.
Preventive measures, such as administering antibiotics during labor to GBS-positive pregnant women and practicing good hygiene and infection control practices, are crucial in reducing the transmission and impact of GBS infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.