ABSTRACT
Group B streptococcus (GBS) (Streptococcus agalactiae), a Gram-positive coccus, is one of the major causes of maternal or neonatal severe infection and sepsis. Maternal infection associated with GBS includes acute chorioamnionitis, endometritis, and urinary tract infection. Group B streptococcal colonization can be detected by either culture or rapid diagnostic tests. Rapid diagnostic tests of GBS directly detect the extracted specific polysaccharide antigen. The available tests use either latex particle agglutinization or enzyme immunoassay. Intrapartum chemoprophylaxis is effective in reducing the attack rate of early-onset neonatal GBS. Cefazolin may be used in patients who are allergic to penicillin or cephalosporin without a high risk for anaphylaxis. Patients who have allergy to penicillin with a high risk of anaphylaxis should receive clindamycin if the bacterium is susceptible to both clindamycin and erythromycin or vancomycin otherwise.
