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A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

Invasive disease due to group B Streptococcus in pregnant women and neonates from diverse population groups

D F Zaleznik1, M A Rench, S Hillier

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|February 15, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) caused invasive disease in newborns and pregnant women. Black or Hispanic race and low birth weight were linked to neonatal GBS, with serotypes Ia and III predominating.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal infections
  • Obstetric infections
  • Bacterial pathogenesis

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of invasive disease in neonates and pregnant women.
  • Surveillance data on GBS incidence and risk factors are crucial for public health interventions.
  • Understanding GBS serotype distribution aids in vaccine development and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the epidemiology of invasive GBS disease in neonates and peripartum women in the United States.
  • To identify risk factors associated with neonatal GBS infection.
  • To characterize the serotype distribution of GBS isolates from invasive infections.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective surveillance for invasive GBS disease in neonates (<7 days) and peripartum women.
  • Data collected from a diverse cohort across four US cities from 1993-1996.
  • Analysis of demographic factors, birth weight, and GBS serotypes.

Main Results:

  • 130 neonatal (0.8/1000 births) and 54 maternal (0.3/1000) cases identified.
  • Black or Hispanic race and birth weight <2500g were significant correlates of neonatal GBS.
  • Serotypes Ia and III predominated (34-37% and 25-26%, respectively), with type V also frequent (14-23%).

Conclusions:

  • Invasive GBS disease presented significant risks to neonates and peripartum women during 1993-1996.
  • Risk factors for neonatal GBS include race and low birth weight.
  • Predominant GBS serotypes Ia, III, and V inform prevention and vaccine efforts.

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