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Published on: November 16, 2016
Prevention of group B streptococcal neonatal disease revisited. The DEVANI European project
J Rodriguez-Granger1, J C Alvargonzalez, A Berardi
1Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, La Caleta, Granada, 18014, Spain. javierm.rodriguez.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) prevention policies in Europe have reduced neonatal infections. Continued efforts are needed for new strategies and coordinated policies to further decrease GBS burden.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infections
- Public health policy
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) poses a significant risk for neonatal infections.
- Varying prevention policies exist across European countries.
- The DEVANI program aimed to address the GBS burden in Europe.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on GBS neonatal infection prevention.
- To assess the status of GBS prevention policies in Europe.
- To present the DEVANI pan-European program's objectives.
Main Methods:
- Review of current GBS prevention guidelines in European countries.
- Assessment of GBS neonatal infection burden before and after policy implementation.
- Overview of the DEVANI program's initiatives.
Main Results:
- Many European countries adopted universal screening and intrapartum prophylaxis post-CDC guidelines.
- Some countries still rely on a risk-factor approach for GBS prevention.
- Implemented policies have led to a decreased GBS disease burden in recent years.
Conclusions:
- Most European countries have implemented policies reducing GBS neonatal infections.
- Further advancements in prevention strategies and diagnostic techniques are required.
- Enhanced coordination of GBS prevention policies across the EU is necessary.
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper was to present the current knowledge on the prevention of group B streptococcus (GBS) neonatal infections and the status of prevention policies in European countries and to present the DEVANI pan-European program, launched in 2008. The aim of this program was to assess the GBS neonatal infection burden in Europe, to design a new vaccine to immunize neonates against GBS infections, to improve the laboratory performance for the diagnosis of GBS colonization and infection, and to improve the methods for the typing of GBS strains. The current guidelines for GBS prevention in different countries were ascertained and a picture of the burden before and after the instauration of prevention policies has been drawn. After the issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, many European countries have adopted universal screening for the GBS colonization of pregnant women and intrapartum prophylaxis to colonized mothers. Nevertheless, some European countries continue advocating the risk factor approach to GBS prevention. Most European countries have implemented policies to prevent GBS neonatal infections and the burden of the disease has decreased during the last several years. Nevertheless, further steps are necessary in order to develop new strategies of prevention, to improve microbiological techniques to detect GBS colonization and infection, and to coordinate the prevention policies in the EU.
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