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Updated: Feb 23, 2026
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Group B Streptococcal infection in neonates and colonization in pregnant women: An epidemiological retrospective
Ching-Yi Cho1, Yi-Hsuan Tang2, Yu-Hsuan Chen2
1Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Taiwan's universal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening and antibiotic prophylaxis program significantly reduced early-onset GBS infections in newborns. However, late-onset GBS infections remain a concern, requiring continued vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
- Taiwan implemented universal GBS screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) in 2012.
- This study evaluates GBS colonization and infection rates from 2011 to 2016.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze recent maternal GBS colonization rates.
- To assess changes in neonatal GBS infection rates post-2012.
- To compare early-onset disease (EOD) and late-onset disease (LOD) in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pregnant women and neonates (2011-2016).
- Analysis of GBS screening, risk factors, antibiotic use, and neonatal outcomes.
- Comparison of hospitalized neonates with GBS EOD and LOD.
Main Results:
- Maternal GBS screening rate was 71.0%, with a 22.6% colonization rate.
- Neonatal invasive GBS infection rate decreased post-2012 (0.6-0.7‰).
- GBS EOD incidence declined significantly, while LOD incidence remained stable (~0.7‰).
Conclusions:
- Taiwan's universal GBS screening with IAP effectively reduced neonatal GBS EOD incidence below 1‰.
- Pediatricians must remain vigilant for GBS LOD, as its incidence has not changed.
- Obstetric risk factors are strongly associated with neonatal GBS EOD.
Background:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is one of the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Universal GBS screening with intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) in pregnant women were initiated in 2012 in Taiwan. This study aimed to analyze the most recent maternal GBS colonization rate and the changes in neonatal GBS infection rate from 2011 to 2016.
Methods:
All pregnant women and their live born neonates between January 2011 and June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Whether GBS screening was done, screening results, presence of risk factors, the use of antibiotics, and neonatal outcome were analyzed. In addition, hospitalized neonates diagnosed with GBS infections were retrieved for comparison of early onset disease (EOD) (<7 days) and late onset disease (LOD) (≥7 days).
Results:
A total of 9535 women delivered babies during the study period. The maternal GBS screening rate was 71.0% and the colonization rate was 22.6%. The overall neonatal invasive GBS infection rate was 0.81 per 1000 live births and the vertical transmission rate was 1.2%. After 2012, the invasive neonatal GBS infection rate declined from 1.1-1.6‰ to 0.6-0.7‰ in 2014 and thereafter, the GBS EOD incidence rate declined from 2.8‰ to 0.0-0.6‰, but the LOD incidence rate remained approximately 0.7‰. Infants with EOD had strong association with obstetric risk factors.
Conclusions:
Taiwan's universal GBS screening with IAP program reduced the incidence rate of neonatal GBS EOD to be lower than 1‰ after 2012. Pediatricians still should pay attention to infants with GBS LOD since its incidence rate remained unchanged.
