How is Streptococcus agalactiae infected?

The human body itself is accompanied by a lot of bacteria. When bacteria multiply in the body, they will cause lesions in certain parts of the body. Streptococcus agalactiae is carried by the mother when the baby is born. If this streptococcus is in the baby's body, it will cause respiratory infection and inflammation of the baby and cause a high mortality rate. Let’s take a look at how Streptococcus agalactiae infection occurs.

1. Early onset is caused by bacterial infection in the birth canal of the infant. The disease occurs within 7 days after birth and is often manifested as lung infection, sepsis and meningitis. Those with early onset will suffer from respiratory distress at birth. The mortality rate is very high, often between 50% and 80%, and the deaths are mostly caused by type II bacteria.

Late-stage disease is mostly caused by postpartum complications of the mother, occurring within 7 to 30 days after birth, with sepsis and meningitis being the most common. The bacterial type is mostly type III, especially meningitis, more than 90% of which is caused by type III. The mortality rate is lower than that of early-stage disease, and the mortality rate of meningitis is about 14%.

Young women are prone to Streptococcus B urinary tract infection and endometritis during gynecological examinations, treatments, and after pregnancy and childbirth. They may also develop pneumonia, meningitis, liver abscess, sepsis, etc. Older people, especially those with certain chronic diseases, both men and women can be infected, as can those who receive antibiotics, hormones, and other immunosuppressants for a long time. The mortality rate is relatively high, with some reports ranging from 29% to 52%.

2. What is Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) is the pathogen of mastitis. It is often found in the skin, teats and udders of dairy cows. It is transmitted through the hands of milkers or milking machines and mechanical carriage by flies. This type of streptococcus does not produce obvious immunity after causing mastitis, and there is currently no reliable polyvalent vaccine. Streptococcus agalactiae is an important cause of postpartum sepsis in pregnant women and neonatal meningitis. It parasitizes in the reproductive tract of mothers and can cause infection in infants. It can also cause postpartum infection, bacteremia, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infection, and osteomyelitis.

3. Complications of Streptococcus agalactiae

Pneumonia: Inflammatory lesions occur in the alveoli and interstitial lungs. Fever, shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest pain when taking a deep breath and coughing, and small or large amounts of sputum may occur. When young children develop pneumonia, their symptoms are often mild and they may have a mild cough or no cough at all. Attention should be paid to timely treatment.

Urinary tract infections: Common ones include urethritis, cystitis, and vaginitis.

Soft tissue infection: The tissue becomes red, swollen, painful, or becomes purulent and inflamed.

Sepsis: A serious systemic infection. Clinical manifestations include fever, severe toxic blood symptoms, petechiae on the rash, hepatosplenomegaly, and increased white blood cell count.