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Group B streptococcal infections in elderly adults
Morven S Edwards1, Carol J Baker
1Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. morvene@bcm.tmc.edu
Summary
Elderly adults face a high risk of invasive group B streptococcal (GBS) disease and related deaths. Vaccination shows promise for preventing GBS infections in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Elderly adults represent a significant proportion of invasive group B streptococcal (GBS) disease cases and fatalities in the U.S.
- Colonization prevalence in healthy elderly individuals mirrors that of women of childbearing age.
- Pathogenesis factors like comorbidities, barrier integrity, and immune senescence require further study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of invasive GBS disease in elderly adults.
- To explore potential preventive strategies, including vaccination, for GBS infections in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on GBS disease in elderly populations.
- Analysis of common clinical presentations and risk factors.
- Evaluation of vaccine safety and immunogenicity data in elderly participants.
Main Results:
- Invasive GBS disease disproportionately affects elderly adults, leading to higher mortality rates.
- Common GBS manifestations in the elderly include skin/soft-tissue infections, bacteremia, UTIs, and pneumonia.
- A GBS serotype V-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in healthy elderly individuals.
Conclusions:
- Elderly adults are a high-risk group for invasive GBS disease and mortality.
- Vaccination presents a potential strategy for preventing invasive GBS infections in the elderly population.