Early and accurate diagnosis of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is crucial to reduce the risk of infection in newborns. GBS, also known as Streptococcus agalactiae, is a common bacterium that usually lives harmlessly in the intestines or lower genital tract of 10 to 30 percent of all healthy women. However, it can cause life-threatening infections in newborns if transmitted during delivery from an infected mother. Timely identification of GBS colonization in pregnant women through diagnostic testing allows clinicians to administer antibiotic treatment during labor to prevent early-onset GBS disease in infants.


The group B streptococcus (GBS) diagnosis market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.58 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.28 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% from 2024 to 2031..

Key Takeaways

Key players operating in the GBS diagnosis market are bioMérieux, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Luminex Corporation, Hologic, Danaher, Quidel Corporation.

Rising prevalence of GBS colonization in pregnant women and increasing awareness about the need for universal antenatal GBS screening is fueling demand for diagnostic testing. GBS colonization rates vary globally but average around 15-30% in developed countries.

The Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Diagnosis Market advancements in molecular diagnostic technologies such as real-time PCR enable rapid, sensitive detection of GBS and determine the need for antibiotic prophylaxis during labor, improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. New assays allow high-throughput testing and automation.

Market Trends

Point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests are gaining popularity as they provide results within 1-2 hours, aiding timely clinical decisions in labor and delivery suites. However, more accurate PCR-based tests remain the gold standard.

Adoption of universal antenatal GBS screening programs in developing countries is expected to drive significant growth opportunities. Currently screening rates in low-income regions are below 10% compared to over 80% in the developed world.

Market Opportunities

Increasing use of molecular diagnostic platforms by clinical laboratories for comprehensive GBS serotype determination and antibiotic susceptibility profiling helps optimize prophylactic treatment regimens.

Public-private partnerships and initiatives can facilitate technology transfer and scale-up of affordable GBS screening and diagnosis services in underserved regions to reduce GBS disease globally.

Impact of COVID-19 on Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Diagnosis Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the GBS diagnosis market. During the initial outbreak, diagnostic testing and prenatal screening volumes declined sharply as hospitals focused resources on COVID patients. This slowed market growth in 2020. However, as the pandemic spread awareness about infectious diseases, demand for GBS tests started reviving. Manufacturers responded by developing rapid antigen tests to detect GBS. This helped regain lost momentum.

Going forward, the market is expected to grow steadily. As the pandemic uncovered gaps in healthcare infrastructure, governments worldwide are focusing on strengthening preventive healthcare. This includes ensuring universal screening and treatment for infectious conditions like GBS. Market players are also expanding production capacities of diagnostic kits and reagents to meet future spikes in testing needs. Furthermore, remote patient monitoring solutions are being integrated to facilitate continued prenatal screening and newborn care amid social distancing norms. Overall, while the crisis temporarily disrupted the market, efforts are underway to establish protocols that can withstand future public health emergencies.

Geographical Regions with High GBS Diagnosis Market Value

The GBS diagnosis market in North America accounts for the largest value share globally. This is attributed to high diagnostic rates in the United States, where nearly all pregnant women undergo routine prenatal GBS screening as per clinical practice guidelines. Developed healthcare infrastructure and widespread health insurance coverage facilitates widespread adoption of diagnostic technologies in the region. In Europe as well, countries like the UK, Germany, France have mature GBS screening programs established as part of routine prenatal care protocols. This has resulted in the region being the second largest market. On the other hand, developing regions in Asia Pacific and Latin America are emerging hotspots for future growth.

Fastest Growing Regional Market for GBS Diagnosis

The Asia Pacific market is poised to expand at the fastest pace over the forecast period. Rapid economic development, growing medical tourism, increasing government and private investments in healthcare infrastructure, and rising public awareness about infectious diseases are some key factors driving strong market growth. In particular, China and India present immense opportunities owing to their huge patient pools and rising accessibility of preventive healthcare. Further supporting market gains are initiatives by market players to introduce low-cost GBS diagnostic kits tailored for resource-constrained settings. With continued expansion of private and public healthcare systems across Asia Pacific, the region's share in the global GBS diagnosis market is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

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