Streptoccocus Agalactiae Pathogenesis Normal flora in gi tract, also can spread to the secondary site such as vagina in 10-30%women and large intestine Transferred to a neonate passing through the birth canal and can cause serious group B streptococcal infection S. Group B infection during the first month of life may present as fulminant sepsis, meningitis, or respiratory distress syndrome Neonatal pneumonia: S agalactiae invades via alveolar and pulmonary epithelial cells; newborns are especially susceptible to infection because they lack alveolar macrophages to prevent invasionStreptoccocus Agalactiae Pathogenesis • Normal flora in GI tract, also can spread to the secondary site such as vagina in 10-30% women and large intestine • Transferred to a neonate passing through the birth canal and can cause serious group B streptococcal infection • S. Group B infection during the first month of life may present as fulminant sepsis, meningitis, or respiratory distress syndrome. • Neonatal pneumonia: S. agalactiae invades via alveolar and pulmonary epithelial cells; newborns are especially susceptible to infection because they lack alveolar macrophages to prevent invasion