Skip to main content
About the Institute
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • Russian
  • Portuguese
  • Polish

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Gynecology
  3. New research finds that vaginal bacteria influences Group B Streptococcus colonization during pregnancy
  • Our publications
    • News
    • Microbiota Mag
    • Thematic pages
    • Experts' point of view
    • Thematic folders
    • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
  • About the Institute
    • About us
    • International Microbiota Observatory
    • Press room
    • Partnerships
  • Congresses
    • Congress calendar
    • Congress reviews
  • Continuing Medical Education
    • Accrediting courses
  • Useful documents
    • How to talk about
    • Infographics
    • IBS Diagnosis Check List
    • Patients Stories

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

Lay public section

Find here your dedicated section
Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Pediatrics
General Medicine

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Gynecology
  3. New research finds that vaginal bacteria influences Group B Streptococcus colonization during pregnancy
Gynecology

New research finds that vaginal bacteria influences Group B Streptococcus colonization during pregnancy

Pregnancy
Gynecology Obstetrics

New research reveals how shifts in vaginal bacteria during pregnancy influence the persistence of Group B Streptococcus, a hidden but dangerous pathogen. Scientists uncover microbial imbalances that could alter approaches to prenatal care and neonatal safety.

Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Pediatrics
General Medicine
  • Our publications
    • News
    • Microbiota Mag
    • Thematic pages
    • Experts' point of view
    • Thematic folders
    • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
  • About the Institute
    • About us
    • International Microbiota Observatory
    • Press room
    • Partnerships
  • Congresses
    • Congress calendar
    • Congress reviews
  • Continuing Medical Education
    • Accrediting courses
  • Useful documents
    • How to talk about
    • Infographics
    • IBS Diagnosis Check List
    • Patients Stories

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

Lay public section

Find here your dedicated section

Sources

This article is based on scientific information

Sharing is caring

Your colleagues might be interested in this topic. Why not share it?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail

About this article

Author

Dr Amine Zorgani
Created 07 January 2025
Updated 13 January 2025

(sidenote: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) A bacterium commonly found in the gastrointestinal and vaginal tract of adults, which can cause severe infections in newborns if transmitted during delivery. ) , a bacterium often residing silently in the human body, can become a significant threat during pregnancy. Its asymptomatic colonization in up to 40% of pregnant women can lead to neonatal complications like sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis if transmitted during delivery. New research, led by Toby Maidment from the Queensland University of Technology, explored the interplay between (sidenote: Vaginal microbiota The community of microorganisms residing in the vaginal environment, primarily dominated by Lactobacillus species, crucial for maintaining reproductive health. ) and GBS colonization over time, providing groundbreaking insights into microbial dynamics. 1

Microbial shifts and persistent colonization

Using data from 93 pregnant women, they tracked microbial changes at 24 and 36 weeks of gestation, offering new clues about persistent and transient GBS colonization. One of the standout discoveries is the contrasting role of (sidenote: Lactobacillus crispatus A beneficial bacterium in the vaginal microbiota that produces lactic acid, maintaining a low pH to prevent pathogen colonization and infections. ) and (sidenote: Lactobacillus iners A less protective vaginal bacterium that produces only L-lactic acid, often associated with microbial imbalances and vulnerability to opportunistic infections ) . In women persistently colonized by GBS, L. crispatus, a key defender against pathogens, was significantly reduced. Instead, L. iners, a species less effective in maintaining vaginal acidity and microbial balance, was more abundant. This imbalance might create an environment that allows GBS to thrive.

27.11.2023 Predicting the risk of preterm birth through vaginal microbiota Read more

Interestingly, transient GBS colonization (detected only at 24 weeks) was linked to more diverse microbial communities, dominated by species like Gardnerella vaginalis. By 36 weeks, this diversity declined, and L. crispatus along with L. iners became dominant, correlating with the resolution of GBS presence. This indicates a dynamic interaction where the vaginal microbiota may naturally shift toward a protective state, though not always effectively in persistent cases.

A closer look at GBS dynamics

Persistent GBS colonization often involved the same bacterial serotype across both time points, hinting at stable colonization mechanisms. Additionally, in persistently GBS-positive women, an average 11% reduction in GBS abundance was observed as pregnancy progressed, aligning with hormonal changes that increase Lactobacilli. However, despite this decline, the presence of L. iners continued to challenge the vaginal environment's resilience.

The study’s longitudinal design—tracking changes over time rather than a single snapshot—revealed that transient and persistent colonizations differ significantly in their microbial underpinnings. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing L. iners’ role in GBS colonization, as its presence may indicate a less protective vaginal environment compared to L. crispatus or other Lactobacillus species.

Before it’s too late!

This research presents a compelling case for personalized approaches to managing GBS in pregnancy. While L. crispatus emerges as a key player in vaginal health, L. iners seems less capable of offering protection against opportunistic pathogens. Understanding these dynamics could pave the way for interventions, such as probiotics targeted at increasing L. crispatus dominance or other strategies to bolster vaginal defenses.

Moving forward, microbial profiling may become a cornerstone of personalized obstetric strategies, potentially reducing the risks associated with GBS and improving neonatal outcomes.

Source

1. Maidment TI, Pelzer ES, Borg DJ, et al. Group B Streptococcus vaginal colonisation throughout pregnancy is associated with decreased Lactobacillus crispatus and increased Lactobacillus iners abundance in the vaginal microbial community. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Sep 30;14:1435745.

Tags
Microbiome Flora Pregnancy Women health Vaginal microbiota Vagina Lactobacillus Mother-to-child transmission Baby

    See also

    Mother-fetus interaction via the gut microbiota has been discovered
    Actu PRO : Le microbiote vaginal prédictif du risque d’accouchement prématuré ? The vaginal microbiota as a predictor of the risk of premature delivery
    Created 07 January 2025
    Updated 13 January 2025

    About this article

    To know more about this topic.

    Main topic

    Pregnancy

    Medical practice

    Gynecology Obstetrics

    Content type

    News

    Author

    Dr Amine Zorgani
    Gynecology

    Dysbiosis-related infections of the lower genital tract

    Unlike the urinary microbiota and many other microbiotas, the vaginal microbiota, when healthy, has l...

    Find out more

    Urinary area: efficacy to be confirmed in clinical trials

    Since lower urogenital infections seem closely related to a dysbiosis of the urinary or vaginal micro...

    Find out more

    Urinary tract infections

    Infections of the lower urogenital tract are extremely common amongst women: seven out of ten women w...

    Find out more

    Dysbiosis-related urinary tract infections

    The microbiota seems to play an important role in infections of the lower urogenital system, whether ...

    Find out more

    The infant's gut at the heart of immunity

    By Dr Travis J. De Wolfe

    Find out more

    Factors influencing microbiota development and maturation of the immune system early in life

    Birth represents the biggest substantial environmen...

    Find out more

    From diarrhea to chronic diseases: the well-documented consequences of antibiotic-related gut microbiota dysbiosis

    Antibiotic treatment may sometimes take place witho...

    Find out more

    Urogenital microbiota: the spectrum of mycosis or urinary tract infections after each antibiotic treatment

    A vicious circle. Vaginal tract infections such as ...

    Find out more

    Continue reading

    News
    14.05.2025

    Towards worldwide redefinition of healthy vaginal microbiota

    Read the article
    02.05.2025

    A new lens on chlamydia: beyond behavior, into the microbiome

    Read the article
    02.04.2025

    A type of vaginal dysbiosis for each type of infertility?

    Read the article
    13.02.2025

    How do I deal with menopause?

    Read the article
    13.02.2025

    “I'm 45, why do I have all these symptoms now (hot flashes, insomnia, dryness, swollen belly)? Is it menopause?”

    Read the article
    13.02.2025

    Will having too much sex affect my pH, or give me vaginitis or thrush? Or will it give me a STI?

    Read the article
    13.02.2025

    "Help, I don't want to have sex anymore: I'm too tired, stressed, I don't feel sexy, what is wrong with me?"

    Read the article
    13.02.2025

    Why is it itching down there?

    Read the article
    • Our publications
      • News
      • Microbiota Mag
      • Thematic pages
      • Experts' point of view
      • Thematic folders
      • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships
    • Congresses
      • Congress calendar
      • Congress reviews
    • Continuing Medical Education
      • Accrediting courses
    • Useful documents
      • How to talk about
      • Infographics
      • IBS Diagnosis Check List
      • Patients Stories

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Gastroenterology
    Gynecology
    Pediatrics
    General Medicine
    • English
    • Français
    • Español
    • Russian
    • Portuguese
    • Polish

    Browse the site

    • Our publications
      • News
      • Microbiota Mag
      • Thematic pages
      • Experts' point of view
      • Thematic folders
      • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships
    • Congresses
      • Congress calendar
      • Congress reviews
    • Continuing Medical Education
      • Accrediting courses
    • Useful documents
      • How to talk about
      • Infographics
      • IBS Diagnosis Check List
      • Patients Stories

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Discover

    Gastroenterology
    Gynecology
    Pediatrics
    General Medicine

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Redirection

    You are about to be redirected and leave our website

    • Be redirected
    • Stay on the Biocodex Microbiota Institute's website

    Stay with us !

    Join the Microbiota Community of HCPs and researchers and receive “Microbiota Digest” and "Microbiota Mag" to stay up to date on the latest news about microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    Explore

    14.05.2025

    Towards worldwide redefinition of healthy vaginal microbiota

    Read the article
    07.05.2025

    The microbial-metabolic nexus in colon cancer

    Read the article
    02.05.2025

    A new lens on chlamydia: beyond behavior, into the microbiome

    Read the article

    Stay updated

    Join the Microbiota Community of HCPs and researchers and receive “Microbiota Digest” and "Microbiota Mag" to stay up to date on the latest news about microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    • Our publications
      • News
      • Microbiota Mag
      • Thematic pages
      • Experts' point of view
      • Thematic folders
      • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships
    • Congresses
      • Congress calendar
      • Congress reviews
    • Continuing Medical Education
      • Accrediting courses
    • Useful documents
      • How to talk about
      • Infographics
      • IBS Diagnosis Check List
      • Patients Stories

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Discover

    Gastroenterology
    Gynecology
    Pediatrics
    General Medicine

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

    © 2025 Biocodex. All rights reserved.

    • Legal notice
    • GTU
    • Data protection policy
    • Sitemap
    • Cookies settings
    • Digital accessibility : partially compliant
    Biocodex logo