Streptococcus agalactiae 2842834 218677705 2008-06-11T18:18:23Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[pl:Streptococcus agalactiae]] Modifying: [[fr:Streptococcus agalactiae]] {{Taxobox | color = lightgrey | name = ''Streptococcus agalactiae'' | image = | image_width = 240px | image_caption = | regnum = [[Bacterium|Bacteria]] | phylum = [[Firmicutes]] | classis = [[Bacilli]] | ordo = [[Lactobacillales]] | familia = [[Streptococcaceae]] | genus = ''[[Streptococcus]]'' | species = '''''S. agalactiae''''' | binomial = ''Streptococcus agalactiae'' | binomial_authority = Lehmann and Neumann, 1896 }} '''''Streptococcus agalactiae''''' also known as '''Group B Streptococcus''' (cocci) is a [[gram-positive]] [[streptococcus]] characterized by the presence of group B [[Rebecca Lancefield|Lancefield]] antigen. These bacteria cause [[Group B streptococcal infection]]. Streptococcus agalactiae is a species of the normal flora of the gut and female urogenital tract. Early perinatal infection causes [[septicemia]], [[pneumonia]] or [[meningitis]], which are associated with a high mortality. During delivery, a baby can acquire ''S. agalactiae'' and develop neonatal [[sepsis]], neonatal [[meningitis]], and/or neonatal [[pneumonia]]. Neonates with meningitis do not present with the hallmark sign of adult meningitis, a stiff neck. They display nonspecific symptoms such as fever, vomiting, poor feeding, and irritability. The polysaccharide antiphagocytic capsule is this bacterium's main [[Virulence|virulence factor]]. ''S. agalactiae'' displays [[beta-hemolysis]] when cultured on a blood agar plate and produce zones of hemolysis that are only slightly larger than the colonies themselves. Group B streptococci hydrolyze sodium hippurate and give a positive response in the CAMP test. ''S. agalactiae'' is also sensitive to [[bile]] and will lyse in its presence. ==References== *Brooks, Geo F., Janet Butel, and Stephen Morse. <u>Jawetz, Melnick, and Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 22nd edition</u>. 2001. *Gillespie, Stephen and Kathleen Bamford. <u>Medical Microbiology at a Glance</u>. 2000. [[Category:Streptococcaceae]] [[Category:Obstetrics]] {{bacteria-stub}} ==External links== *[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5111a1.htm Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease] August 16, 2002 MMWR 2000;49:228-232. *[http://www.strepb.ca/home.htm The Canadian Strep B Foundation] *[http://www.gbss.org.uk The UK Group B Strep Support charity] {{Bacterial diseases}} [[Category:Streptococcaceae]] [[Category:Pregnancy]] [[de:Streptococcus agalactiae]] [[es:Streptococcus agalactiae]] [[fr:Streptococcus agalactiae]] [[it:Streptococcus agalactiae]] [[lt:Streptococcus agalactiae]] [[pl:Streptococcus agalactiae]] [[pt:Streptococcus agalactiae]] [[sr:Б стрептококе]]