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A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Trend of neonatal group B streptococcal infection during the last 15 years
Kiyoshi Hoshina1, Yoko Suzuki, Hiroshi Nishida
1Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Teishin Hospital, Japan. khoshina@tpth.go.jp
Insights
The increasing trend of group B streptococcal (GBS) infections has stabilized. Continued screening of pregnant women is recommended to further reduce GBS disease onset.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Group B streptococcal (GBS) infections pose a significant threat to neonates.
- Understanding GBS trends is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the 15-year trend of GBS infections.
- To update current knowledge on GBS disease epidemiology and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A 15-year questionnaire survey (1983-1997) of hospitals with neonatal intensive care units.
- Analysis of 831 patients, examining GBS trends, serotypes, onset, and prognosis.
Main Results:
- The rise in GBS cases plateaued between 1993-1997.
- Type III GBS was the predominant serotype for both early and late-onset cases.
- Approximately 40% of early-onset GBS cases lacked identifiable risk factors.
- Mortality or sequelae occurred in 22.6% of early-onset and 38.7% of late-onset cases.
Conclusions:
- While GBS infection rates have stabilized, proactive screening of pregnant women remains essential.
- Implementing screening protocols can further mitigate the incidence and impact of GBS disease.
Background:
The survey was designed to determine the trend of group B streptococcal (GBS) infection during the last 15 years, as well as update the reality of this disease.
Methods:
Questionnaires were administered every 5 years towards neonatal intensive care unit-equipped hospitals. The first survey was made from 1983 to 1987, the second one from 1988 to 1992 and the third one from 1993 to 1997. The 15-year questionnaire survey included a total of 831 patients. The changes in number of patients, the ages at onset, the diagnosis, the serotypes of causative agents, the presence or absence of complicated delivery and the prognosis were analyzed.
Results:
It seems that the increasing trend of the number of patients has stopped in the period from 1993 to 1997 (third survey). The most common causative subtype was type III GBS, regardless of early onset type or late onset type. As to perinatal abnormality, approximately 40% of the early onset cases were free from risk factors. Concerning the prognosis, 22.6% of early onset cases and 38.7% of late onset cases died or had sequelae.
Conclusions:
The number of GBS-infected cases has stopped increasing, but it is still necessary to carry out screenings of pregnant women for the purpose of decreasing the onset of the disease.
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