Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Enrichment of Native and Recombinant Extracellular Vesicles of Mycobacteria
Published on: December 8, 2023
Group B Streptococcus vaccine development: present status and future considerations, with emphasis on perspectives
Miwako Kobayashi1, Johan Vekemans2, Carol J Baker3
1National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA; Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA.
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes infant sepsis and meningitis. A GBS vaccine for pregnant women offers a promising strategy to protect newborns, especially in low-resource settings where other methods are challenging.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infectious diseases
- Vaccinology
- Global public health
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the primary cause of sepsis and meningitis in neonates, particularly within the first 90 days of life.
- Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) reduces but does not eliminate GBS transmission, facing significant implementation challenges in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and for home births.
Approach:
- This review examines the natural history, global burden, and current control strategies for GBS disease.
- It explores the rationale and evidence supporting a GBS vaccine, including analysis of developmental candidates, correlates of protection, and immunogenicity assays.
- The manuscript also discusses future vaccine development, licensure pathways, and implementation considerations for LMICs.
Key Points:
- A GBS vaccine administered to pregnant women can confer passive immunity to newborns via transplacental antibody transfer.
- Vaccine development is advancing towards late-stage clinical evaluation as an alternative to IAP.
- Addressing GBS disease in neonates requires innovative strategies, particularly for LMICs.
Conclusions:
- Vaccination of pregnant women represents a viable and potentially transformative approach to prevent GBS infections in newborns.
- Further research and development are crucial for the successful licensure and equitable deployment of GBS vaccines globally.
- The review provides a foundation for future discussions on GBS vaccine development and implementation strategies.
Abstract:
Globally, group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in young infants, with its greatest burden in the first 90 days of life. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for women at risk of transmitting GBS to their newborns has been effective in reducing, but not eliminating, the young infant GBS disease burden in many high income countries. However, identification of women at risk and administration of IAP is very difficult in many low and middle income country (LMIC) settings, and is not possible for home deliveries. Immunization of pregnant women with a GBS vaccine represents an alternate pathway to protecting newborns from GBS disease, through the transplacental antibody transfer to the fetus in utero. This approach to prevent GBS disease in young infants is currently under development, and is approaching late stage clinical evaluation. This manuscript includes a review of the natural history of the disease, global disease burden estimates, diagnosis and existing control options in different settings, the biological rationale for a vaccine including previous supportive studies, analysis of current candidates in development, possible correlates of protection and current status of immunogenicity assays. Future potential vaccine development pathways to licensure and use in LMICs, trial design and implementation options are discussed, with the objective to provide a basis for reflection, rather than recommendations.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
01:51Vaccinations
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
01:28Preclinical Development: Overview