Progress in pathogenesis of adverse pregnancy outcomes induced by group B Streptococcus / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Group B Streptococcus ( GBS) is a leading infectious cause of adverse pregnancy out-comes such as preterm birth. GBS colonizes the vagina during pregnancy and can ascend into the uterus and then infect the fetus. It encodes a series of virulence factors such as adhesion and invasion factors, hemolytic pigments and hyaluronidase, which are important to vaginal colonization and immune evasion. Immune re-sponses to GBS cause the release of a multiple of inflammatory mediators, leading to the premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth and fetal injury. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of GBS vaginal colonization and ascending infection causing adverse pregnancy outcomes.