Streptococcus agalactiae | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Bacillota |
Class: | Bacilli |
Order: | Lactobacillales |
Family: | Streptococcaceae |
Genus: | Streptococcus |
Species: | S. agalactiae
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Binomial name | |
Streptococcus agalactiae Lehmann and Neumann, 1896
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Streptococcus agalactiae (also known as group B streptococcus or GBS) is a gram-positive coccus (round bacterium) with a tendency to form chains (as reflected by the genus name Streptococcus). It is a beta-hemolytic, catalase-negative, and facultative anaerobe.[1][2]
S. agalactiae is the most common human pathogen of streptococci belonging to group B of the Rebecca Lancefield classification of streptococci. GBS are surrounded by a bacterial capsule composed of polysaccharides (exopolysacharide). The species is subclassified into ten serotypes (Ia, Ib, II–IX) depending on the immunologic reactivity of their polysaccharide capsule.[1][3][4]
The plural term group B streptococci (referring to the serotypes) and the singular term group B streptococcus (referring to the single species) are both commonly used synonymously with S. agalactiae even though S. halichoeri and S. pseudoporcinus are also group B Streptococci. These species test positive as group B, but are not frequently carried by humans, and only rarely cause disease.[5]
In general, GBS is a harmless commensal bacterium being part of the human microbiota colonizing the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract of up to 30% of healthy human adults (asymptomatic carriers). Nevertheless, GBS can cause severe invasive infections especially in newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.[6]
S. agalactiae is also a common veterinary pathogen, because it can cause bovine mastitis (inflammation of the udder) in dairy cows. The species name agalactiae meaning "of no milk", alludes to this.[7]
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