davispau at ACC.WUACC.EDU (davis paul h) wrote:
>I was curious about a strain of bacteria known as "Strep B" which infects
>new-born infants. I guess it's supposed to cause major problems in
>infants. Does anyone know what type of Strep this is, and what problems
>does it cause? Thanks in advance,
>
>Paul H. Davis
>
Strep B is shorthand for Streptococcus agalactiae. This bacterial pathogen
falls into the serogroup called Lancefield group B, hence Strep B. The pathogen
is the cause of mastitis in cows and is also a cause of neonatal sepsis in
humans. In the latter case, infection is often acquired from the mother during
birth. Streptococci with characteristics of Strep agalactiae and possessing a
Lancefield group B antigen are also a cause of disease in certain species of
estuarine fish off the US coast.
JC.
