Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Epidemiology Forecast 2026-2035

Group B streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) is a leading cause of infant invasive disease, with approximately 3,19 000 cases of neonatal GBS worldwide. These infections result in substantial mortality and long-term disability, including neurodevelopmental sequelae, according to epidemiological estimates. As per the group B streptococcus (GBS) epidemiology forecast, detailed incident case data and future trends are projected across major markets.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Epidemiology Forecast Report Coverage

The analyst's “Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Epidemiology Forecast Report 2026-2035” offers comprehensive information on the prevalence and demographics of group B streptococcus (GBS). It projects the future incidence and prevalence rates of group B streptococcus (GBS) cases across various populations. The study covers age, gender, and type as major determinants of the group B streptococcus (GBS) population. The report highlights patterns in the prevalence of group B streptococcus (GBS) over time and projects future trends based on multiple variables.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the disease, as well as historical and projected data on the epidemiology of group B streptococcus (GBS) in the 8 major markets.

Regions Covered

• The United States
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• The United Kingdom
• Japan
• India

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Understanding: Disease Overview

Group B streptococcus (GBS), caused by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae, is a bacterial infection that commonly colonizes the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts of healthy adults. It becomes pathogenic when transmitted to newborns during labor or when it invades sterile body sites in pregnant women, older adults, or individuals with chronic conditions. GBS disease is classified into early-onset disease, developing within the first week of life, and late-onset disease, occurring from one week to three months of age. Clinical manifestations include sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in neonates, and bloodstream, skin, bone, or urinary tract infections in adults.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Epidemiology Perspective

The group B streptococcus (GBS) epidemiology division offers information on the patient pool from history to the present as well as the projected trend for each of the 8 major markets. The analyst provides both current and predicted trends for the group B streptococcus (GBS) epidemiology scenario by examining a wide range of studies. Additionally, the report covers the diagnosed patient pool for group B streptococcus (GBS) and their trends. The data is broken down into specific categories, such as total prevalent cases in males and females, and total diagnosed cases across different age groups and patient pools.

• According to Lina Raid Al Obaidi et al., 2025, group B streptococcus colonises 15-40% of pregnant women globally. As per Gollapudi Geetanjali et al., 2025, the average maternal carriage rate is 18%, ranging from 11% to 35% across regions, indicating notable geographic variation.
• According to Lisa Malesi Were et al., 2025, approximately 19.7 million pregnant women worldwide are affected annually, leading to vertical transmission during pregnancy or delivery and causing early-onset neonatal disease within the first seven days of life.
• As per the World Health Organization, group B streptococcus contributes to over 500,000 premature births and nearly 150,000 stillbirths and infant deaths each year, with about 390,000 infants developing infection globally.
• According to Gollapudi Geetanjali et al., 2025, group B streptococcus is responsible for nearly 518,000 preterm births, 392,000 neonatal infections, and 91,000 neonatal deaths annually, with significantly higher morbidity and mortality observed in low-income countries due to limited preventive strategies.

Country-wise Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Epidemiology

The Group B Streptococcus (GBS) epidemiology data and findings for the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and India are also provided in the epidemiology section.

Across the regions covered in the report, group B streptococcus (GBS) epidemiology shows measurable variation. According to Asma Khalil et al., 2023, GBS remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality in the United Kingdom, with an incidence of 0.94 per 1,000 live births, compared to 0.22 per 1,000 live births in the United States. As per Kousaku Matsubara et al., 2023, Japan reports a stable early-onset disease incidence of approximately 0.10 per 1,000 live births. Furthermore, according to Addisu Tesfaye et al., 2024, the vertical transmission rate reported in India was 3.23%, highlighting persistent regional differences in maternal and neonatal GBS epidemiology. Overall, these findings underscore heterogeneity across the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and India.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS): Treatment Overview

The treatment of group B streptococcus infection primarily involves antibiotic therapy. Intravenous penicillin G remains the first-line treatment, with ampicillin commonly used as an alternative. In patients with penicillin allergy, cefazolin, clindamycin, or vancomycin may be administered based on susceptibility testing. For neonates with suspected or confirmed infection, combination therapy with ampicillin and gentamicin is often initiated until culture results are available. In pregnant women, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is administered during labor to prevent neonatal transmission. Early diagnosis and timely antimicrobial treatment significantly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with GBS disease.

Key Questions Answered

• What are the key findings of group B streptococcus (GBS) epidemiology in the 8 major markets?
• What will be the total number of patients with group B streptococcus (GBS) across the 8 major markets during the forecast period?
• What was the country-wise group B streptococcus (GBS) epidemiology scenario in the 8 major markets in the historical period?
• Which country will have the highest number of group B streptococcus (GBS) patients during the forecast period of 2026-2035?
• Which key factors would influence the shift in the patient population of group B streptococcus (GBS) during the forecast period of 2026-2035?
• What are the currently available treatments for group B streptococcus (GBS)?
• What are the disease risks, signs, symptoms, and unmet needs of group B streptococcus (GBS)?

Scope of the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Epidemiology Report

• The report covers a detailed analysis of signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment options, and classification/types of group B streptococcus (GBS) based on several factors.
• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Epidemiology Forecast Report covers data for the eight major markets (the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, and India).
• The group B streptococcus (GBS) report helps to identify the patient population, and the unmet needs are highlighted along with an assessment of the disease's risk and burden.