Group B streptococcal infections during pregnancy and perinatal consequences: what do we need to determine more than a bacteriological analysis?

Abstract

Group B of streptococcal infection is responsible for maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Fetal consequences of streptococcal B infection may lead to puerperal sepsis, meningitis, encephalitis or pneumonia. Long-term consequences may determine neurological sequelae and mental disabilities, and very rare are reported cases for the late death of the child. Maternal consequences of streptococcal B infection are endometritis and sepsis. Universal screening and antibioprophylaxy during labour are safe and effective. But, systematic intrapartum prophylaxis for carriers of SGB does not appear to have effects on long-term complications. Also, systematic cultures in neonates do not appear to detect antenatally all carriers of streptococcus B. Herein, we present the particularity of streptococcal infection in pregnancy that may contribute to further strategy. Better laboratory tests for identifying serotypes, genotypes and phenotypes must be available, significantly to differentiate between dtreptococcal high- and low-risk regarding materno-fetal consequences. Immunization remains a promising way to eradicate this infection

Keywords

• pregnancy
• streptococcus agalactiae
• hemolysin
• immunology
• membranes vesicle