An estimated one in five pregnant women around the world are colonized with group B Streptococcus (GBS), which is a major, yet preventable, cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality (Clin Infect Dis 2017 Nov. 6 [Epub ahead of print]).
The researchers conservatively estimate that out of 410,000 GBS cases every year, there will be at least 147,000 stillbirths and infant deaths globally. Despite being home to only 13% of the world’s population, Africa had the highest burden, with