Group B Streptococcal Disease in England (1998 - 2017): A Population-based Observational Study

Seilesh Kadambari1, Caroline L Trotter2, Paul T Heath3

  • 1Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Insights

Group B Strep (GBS) disease incidence in infants remains stable, but GBS-attributable mortality has significantly decreased. Further prevention strategies, like maternal vaccination, are crucial for infant health.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a primary cause of sepsis and meningitis in neonates.
  • Understanding the burden of GBS disease in infants is critical for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the incidence and mortality of GBS disease in infants under 90 days in England.
  • To compare GBS-affected infants with the general infant population regarding health outcomes and mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized linked National Health Service (NHS) hospitalization records from 1998 to 2017.
  • Calculated annual GBS incidence and mortality rates.
  • Employed regression models to compare outcomes between GBS-affected and unaffected infants.

Main Results:

  • 15,429 infants diagnosed with GBS, with an average annual incidence of 1.28 per 1000 live births.
  • GBS-attributable mortality significantly declined by an annual percentage change of -6.6% from 2001 to 2017.
  • Infants with GBS exhibited higher relative rates of visual impairment, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Conclusions:

  • GBS disease incidence in infants has remained unchanged over 19 years.
  • Reduced mortality is attributed to improved antibiotic use and neonatal care.
  • Prioritizing new prevention methods, including maternal vaccination, is essential.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
267
Principles of Disease Surveillance01:26

Principles of Disease Surveillance

Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. This process integrates data dissemination to entities responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Surveillance systems provide crucial information for action, helping public health authorities make informed decisions to manage and prevent outbreaks, ensure public safety, optimize...
369
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.1K
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
15.0K
Steps in Outbreak Investigation01:18

Steps in Outbreak Investigation

In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
394
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
380