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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

Serotype distribution and invasive potential of group B streptococcus isolates causing disease in infants and

Mashudu Madzivhandila1, Peter V Adrian, Clare L Cutland

  • 1Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Plos One
|March 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotype III is the most common cause of invasive infant disease. A GBS vaccine targeting serotypes Ia, Ib, and III could prevent a significant percentage of maternal colonization and infant infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Vaccinology
  • Neonatal Health

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotype-specific vaccines are under development.
  • Understanding GBS epidemiology in maternal colonization and infant invasive disease is crucial for vaccine efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the serotype distribution of GBS in maternal colonization and neonatal invasive disease.
  • To evaluate the invasive potential of different GBS serotypes in infants.
  • To assess the potential impact of a serotype-specific GBS vaccine.

Main Methods:

  • GBS isolates collected from maternal vaginal swabs and newborn skin.
  • Invasive GBS isolates identified through laboratory surveillance.
  • Serotyping performed using latex agglutination and PCR; invasive potential assessed.

Main Results:

  • GBS colonization identified in 52.4% of newborns via maternal vaginal swabs.
  • Serotype III was predominant in both colonization (37.3%) and invasive disease (57.7% in neonates <7 days, 84.3% in infants 7-90 days).
  • Serotypes Ia, II, and V demonstrated significantly lower invasive potential compared to serotype III.

Conclusions:

  • A GBS vaccine including serotypes Ia, Ib, and III could prevent 74.1% of maternal colonization.
  • This vaccine could prevent 85.4% of neonatal invasive disease (<7 days) and 98.2% of infant invasive disease (7-90 days).
Abstract

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