Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus agalactiae is a Gram-positive bacterium that can cause various infectious diseases. The species was first described in 1887 by Nocard and Mollereau as Streptococcus de la mammite. It belongs to serological group B streptococci and is the main cause of bacterial sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis in newborn infants and of puerperal fever. Increasingly also infections of immunocompromised persons are known. Although Streptococcus agalactiae to the normal flora of the part of the gastrointestinal and genital tract, it can cause a life -threatening infection with appropriate disposition.

Because of the importance as a cause of serious neonatal infections (eg, neonatal sepsis ) in pregnant women is a screening for Streptococcus agalactiae at the end of pregnancy is recommended ( 35th - 37th week of pregnancy ). This investigation is now also known in Germany as a B streptococcal screening. In this study, a bacteriological swab from the Vaginaleingangsbereich and from the rectum is removed from the gynecologist; This smear is examined microbiological specialist laboratory to S. agalactiae. The laboratory study will take 2-3 days. If it is detected in pregnant women S. agalactiae, the maternity hospital prophylactic treatment with penicillin performs at birth. Large studies in the U.S. have shown that most neonatal infections can be avoided by group B streptococci through this procedure.

An important characteristic of these bacteria is a complete hemolysis (also called beta- haemolysis) on blood agar plates. This is also used for diagnostic purposes. The identification is then performed by agglutination with an anti- serum, which is directed against the cell-wall polysaccharide from S. agalactiae. Alternatively, the so-called Granadaagar be used, a Indikatornährmedium, can be detected by a color change on the B streptococci.

Swell

  • CDC Guidelines: Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease (2002)
  • Recommendations of the Dt. Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 2004
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