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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
The effect of group B streptococcus on maternal and infants' prognosis in Guizhou, China
Wei Dai1, Youcheng Zhang1, Yin Xu1
1Department of Obstetrics, Guizhou People's Hospital, Guiyang 550002, Guizhou, China.
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization affects 12.6% of late pregnant women. GBS significantly increases risks for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including infections and sepsis.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an opportunistic pathogen affecting the genitourinary and digestive tracts.
- GBS poses a significant threat to neonatal health, being a major risk factor for life-threatening conditions in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of GBS colonization in pregnant women between 35-37 weeks of gestation.
- To investigate the impact of GBS colonization on the prognosis of both mothers and their infants.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of pregnant women at 35-37 weeks gestation.
- Detection of GBS colonization using Real-time Polymerase Chain-Reaction (RT-PCR) in vaginal and rectal secretions.
- Statistical analysis using Chi-square test and a 6-week postpartum follow-up for maternal and infant outcomes.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of GBS colonization was found to be 12.6% in the studied population.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between GBS carrier status and adverse maternal outcomes: intrauterine infection, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal distress, and puerperal infection (P < 0.05).
- GBS colonization was also significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, including neonatal infection, pneumonia, and sepsis (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- GBS colonization is prevalent in late-term pregnant women.
- Maternal GBS infection is linked to a higher incidence of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
- Screening and management of GBS in late pregnancy are crucial for improving maternal and infant prognoses.
Abstract:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a kind of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria and mainly strikes the lower digestive tract and genitourinary tract. It is a major risk factor for neonatal babies, seriously threatening their lives. In the present study, we aimed to detect the GBS colonization in late pregnant women, and to study the effect of GBS on maternal and infants' prognosis. Pregnant women with a gestational age of 35-37 weeks were enrolled in the study. Real-time polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the colonization of GBS in the vaginal and rectal secretions for late pregnant women according to the screening guidelines. Chi-square test was applied to analyze the relationship between GBS colonization and clinical characteristics. A follow-up of 6 weeks was performed on the puerpera and infants after delivery. The positive rate of GBS was 12.6% in late pregnant women. GBS carrier state was positively related to several pregnancy outcomes, including intrauterine infection, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal distress and puerperal infection, as well as to part neonatal outcomes, containing neonatal infection, neonatal pneumonia and neonatal sepsis (all P < 0.05). GBS infection in late pregnant women results in adverse effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
