Group B Streptococcal Infections

A group of sometimes life-threatening infections that are caused by the presence of the Group B streptococcus (GBS) bacterium and which are most frequently seen in pregnant women and newborn babies. GBS disease is the most common cause of blood infections and meningitis in newborns and is often associated with newborn pneumonia. In pregnant women, GBS causes urinary tract infections, postpartum endometritis, bacteremia and wound infections complicating cesarean sections. Among men and among women who are not pregnant, GBS is associated with blood infections, skin or soft tissue infections and pneumonia.