Slide 1: Q: Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B streptococcus (GBS), is named after which veterinary disease?

Slide 2: A: Bovine mastitis! (Yes – infection of cow udders!)

Slide 3: GBS was first isolated from a case of bovine mastitis in 1887 by Edmond Nocard. It was first aptly named S. nocardi, then eventually underwent various renamings, ending at S. agalactiae in 1947. “Agalactiae” (“no milk” in Greek) refers to the tendency for bovine mastitis to lead to decreased milk production.

Slide 4: GBS is known to be an important human pathogen; in the 1970s, GBS emerged as a cause of neonatal sepsis. Today, GBS is known to cause more than neonatal and bovine disease and can infect adults as well.

Slide 5: GBS can cause skin and soft tissue infections, commonly in adults with diabetes. Furthermore, in women with prior lower-extremity lymph node dissection, GBS can cause an intercourse-related sepsis syndrome (streptococcal-sex syndrome).

References

  • Farley MM. Group B streptococcal disease in nonpregnant adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;33(4):556-61. PMID 11462195.
  • Ellison RT, Mcgregor JA. Recurrent postcoital lower-extremity streptococcal erythroderma in women. Streptococcal-sex syndrome. JAMA. 1987;257(23):3260-2. PMID 2953912.
  • Jelínkoá J. Group B streptococci in the human population. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 1977;76:127-65. PMID 334481.
  • Prevention of Group B Streptococcal Early-Onset Disease in Newborns. Pediatrics. 2019;144(2). Link.