Streptococcus Agalactiae (Group B Strep)

Question 1

Morphology

Answer 1

Gram Positive cocci in pairs or chains

Encapsulated,facultative anaerobe

Question 2

Classification/Diagnosis

Answer 2

Catalase negative
beta-hemolytic
Bacitracin resistant (Strep A is bacitracin sensitive)
grows on blood agar
Test by PCR, culture

Question 3

Pathology

Answer 3

Sialic acid capsule (inhibits alternative complement pathway)

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

Colonizes lower GI and urogenital tract

Spread materal-fetal in utero (leading cause of neonatal infection)

Question 5

Diseases/Symptoms

Answer 5

Disseminated infection
Maternal disease (bacteremia, UTI)
Newborn disease (sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia)

Question 6

Treatment/Vaccination

Answer 6

Penicillin
Chemoprophylaxis for colonized women
peripartum treatment of neonates with complicated deliveries