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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
[Prophylaxis of group B streptococcal infections in the birth centers of Emilia Romagna]
1Dipartimento Misto Materno-Infantile, Unità di Terapia Intensiva Neoatale, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Ospedale Policlinico, Modena. berardi.a@policlinico.mo.it
Insights
Neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) prophylaxis practices varied regionally, with inconsistent use of sensitive screening methods. Standardization efforts improved adherence to guidelines, reducing early-onset GBS disease.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Disease Prevention
Context:
- Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines for neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) invasive disease have been published.
- These recommendations have contributed to a reduction in early-onset GBS disease.
- Regional practices in 2000 required investigation and standardization.
Purpose:
- To investigate current practices for neonatal infection prophylaxis in Emilia Romagna in 2000.
- To standardize these practices based on emerging evidence and guidelines.
Summary:
- A multicenter study surveyed 28 birth centers in Emilia Romagna regarding GBS prophylaxis.
- Fifteen centers responded, revealing significant deviations from scientific society recommendations.
- Key issues included underutilization of sensitive GBS screening, frequent antibiotic treatment of colonized infants, and infrequent pre-treatment blood cultures.
Impact:
- Collaborative meetings fostered information exchange and protocol implementation.
- Standardized practices are expected to improve GBS infection prevention.
- Ongoing evaluation will assess the long-term effectiveness of these interventions.
Objectives:
In the last decade several guidelines for prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal invasive disease have been published, mainly based on administration of intrapartum antibiotics. The spread of such recommendations yielded a reduction of the early-onset disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the practices for prophylaxis of neonatal infection in our region during the 2000 and to standardize them according to the new available evidence.
Methods:
We conducted a multicenter study in Emilia Romagna, sending by mail a detailed questionnaire to the 28 birth centers of our region.
Results:
Fifteen centers answered to the questionnaire. The practices were often differing from the recommendations of scientific societies. The most sensitive methods to identify colonized women were not widely used. Colonized infants were frequently treated with antibiotics and discharged later from the nursery. The incidence of neonatal invasive diseases was low, but most centers did not regularly collect a blood culture before antibiotic treatment is started.
Conclusions:
Repeated meetings among centers promoted the diffusion of information, the implementation of a shared protocol and the spread of the practices. The results of such meetings will be evalued in the next months.
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