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Prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal infections: advances in maternal vaccine development
R T Coleman1, D M Sherer, W M Maniscalco
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York.
Insights
Preventing neonatal group B streptococcus infections is crucial. Research shows a maternal vaccine is an attainable goal, with ongoing studies on bacterial antigens and proteins for effective prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infections
- Vaccine development
- Bacterial immunology
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains a significant cause of neonatal infections.
- Current prevention relies on intrapartum antibiotics for identified carriers, necessitating improved screening.
- Previous prophylactic approaches like intravenous immunoglobulin have shown limited success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current strategies for preventing neonatal GBS infections.
- To highlight recent advancements in developing a maternal vaccine against GBS.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and relevant textbooks from 1976-1992.
- Selection of 57 articles focusing on GBS classification, immunology, antigens, antibodies, and vaccines.
- Cross-referencing GBS with bacterial antigens, antibodies, and vaccine research.
Main Results:
- Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is supported but requires better screening methods for high-risk mothers.
- While early immunoglobulin therapies were disappointing, hyperimmune and monoclonal preparations show promise.
- Various GBS antigens, including polysaccharides, conjugates, and C proteins, are being explored for vaccine candidates.
Conclusions:
- A vaccine for preventing neonatal GBS sepsis is achievable.
- Further research into the immunogenic properties of GBS polysaccharides, conjugates, C proteins, and potential universal antigens is essential.
Objective:
We describe the current state of prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal infections and present recent advances toward the development of a maternal vaccine for prevention of this disease.
Data Sources:
We used a MEDLINE search of the Index Medicus from 1976-1992 for articles regarding group B streptococcus classification and immunology. Group B streptococcus was also cross-referenced with bacterial antigens, antibodies, and vaccines. Relevant textbooks were reviewed.
Methods Of Study Selection:
Fifty-seven articles were selected as providing important background and new findings pertinent to this topic.
Data Extraction And Synthesis:
The literature supports prophylactic use of intrapartum antibiotics in mothers who are known carriers of group B streptococcus but highlights the need for more sensitive rapid screening techniques to identify this high-risk population. The promise of intravenous immunoglobulin for neonatal prophylaxis has not been borne out, although hyperimmune and monoclonal preparations offer renewed hope for prophylaxis and adjuvant therapy. Native bacterial polysaccharides, conjugated oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, and C proteins have been investigated as antigens for candidate vaccines. Antibodies elicited in human and animal studies provide protection against bacterial strains possessing these determinants. The theoretical existence of a "universal antigen" is significant because polysaccharide and C protein formulations are required to be polyvalent.
Conclusions:
The development of a vaccine for prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal sepsis is an attainable goal. Further study of the immunogenic properties of bacterial-cell-wall polysaccharides and their conjugates, C proteins, and the potential universal antigen is required.