Group B Streptococcus: Virulence Factors and Pathogenic Mechanism

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae is a major cause of neonatal mortality. When colonizing the lower genital tract of pregnant women, GBS may cause premature birth and stillbirth. If transmitted to the newborn, it may result in life-threatening illnesses, including sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia. Moreover, through continuous evolution, GBS can use its original structure and unique factors to greatly improve its survival rate in the human body. This review discusses the key virulence factors that facilitate GBS invasion and colonization and their action mechanisms. A comprehensive understanding of the role of virulence factors in GBS infection is crucial to develop better treatment options and screen potential candidate molecules for the development of the vaccine.

Automated summary

Group B Streptococcus is a major cause of neonatal mortality and can lead to premature birth and stillbirth in pregnant women. If transmitted to newborns, it can cause life-threatening illnesses. This review discusses the key virulence factors and their mechanisms that facilitate the invasion and colonization of Group B Streptococcus, providing important insights for developing better treatment options and screening vaccine candidates.