ABSTRACT

Group B streptococcus (GBS) will rarely cause infection in adults: those at risk are pregnant women, individuals who are immunosuppressed or have serious underlying medical conditions or the elderly, but most commonly, and severely, it occurs in newborn babies, either as early or late onset. In many countries in the world GBS is routinely screened for in pregnancy; however, currently the UK tests and treats only those women with risk factors. Th is is an area of much controversy at present.