Group B Streptococcus and Pregnancy

S. agalactiae or group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most frequent cause of early-onset neonatal sepsis in many countries and responsible for significant perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Maternal colonization of the lower genital tract with GBS during pregnancy increases the risk of neonatal infection by vertical transmission. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis has been the mainstay of efforts to prevent early-onset GBS disease. Various strategies for the prevention of the early-onset neonatal disease have been implemented and have evolved, but there is limited high-quality scientific evidence. Newer approaches to screening based on rapid point-of-care testing require further evaluation. Given current preventive strategies do not protect against late-onset disease and other sequelae of infection, maternal vaccination against GBS may present the best opportunity to reduce the global burden of invasive GBS disease in the future.