Researchers find that GBS bacteria produce small balloons called membrane vesicles with toxins that kill both foetal and maternal cells. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria are normally found in human vagina and their numbers can shoot up in some pregnant women. The GBS bacteria have been associated with premature rupture of amniotic membrane and preterm birth. A lot of women who suffer from inflammation of the amniotic membrane do not have bacterial infection in the amniotic sac. All the injected mice gave birth to preterm babies and nearly 40 per cent were born dead (stillborn).

Source: The Hindu September 04, 2016 21:45 UTC