On 26 Mar 1995, davis paul h wrote:
> I was curious about a strain of bacteria known as "Strep B" which infects
> new-born infants. I guess it's supposed to cause major problems in
> infants. Does anyone know what type of Strep this is, and what problems
> does it cause? Thanks in advance,
>> Paul H. Davis
>>>
Dear Paul,
In brief, Stept B refers to Lancefield's Group B Streptococci. (There is
A, B, C, D, etc alphabet soup). GBS as it is affectionately called,
causes neonatal meningitis, neonatal sepsis, neonatal bacteremia, and
usually is due to infection as the infant passes the mother's birth
canal. I leave it to the experts in this field to comment in more
detail, if they wish. GBS is also known as Streptococcus agalactiae and
is a differnt bug than GAS (Group A, Streptococcus pyogenes), which
causes STrept thoat (among other diseases).
Bye for now:)
David
David J. McGee
MCGEED at hal.hahnemann.edu
Graduate Student
McPHU (Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University)
Center City Campus
15th and Vine Streets
Dept. Microbiology and Immunology M.S. 410
New College Building RM 10302
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-762-8275
Fax: 215-762-1004
Happy 1995!
