Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2025
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR
Published on: November 4, 2016
Serotyping of invasive and colonizing group B Streptococcus (GBS) isolates at selected hospitals in Sri Lanka: a
Rasika Chinthamani1, Sujatha Pathirage2, Shirani Chandrasiri3
1Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka, rasika_chinthamani@yahoo.com.
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotypes in Sri Lanka show patterns similar to other countries, informing future vaccine strategies. Serotype III dominated invasive GBS, while VI was most common in vaginal isolates.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes severe illness and death in newborns, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is the primary preventive method, with a GBS vaccine in clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the serotype distribution of invasive and colonizing GBS isolates in Sri Lanka.
- To inform the potential introduction of a GBS vaccine in the region.
Main Methods:
- GBS isolates were collected from vaginal swabs and sterile body sites across eight Sri Lankan hospitals.
- Isolates were confirmed using phenotypic methods and serotyped via latex agglutination.
Main Results:
- Of 145 suspected isolates, 100 vaginal and 37 sterile site isolates were confirmed GBS.
- Serotype III was most common in invasive GBS, while serotype VI predominated in vaginal isolates.
- The difference in serotype distribution between invasive and vaginal isolates was statistically significant (P=0.038).
Conclusions:
- The GBS serotype distribution in Sri Lanka aligns with global patterns, supporting vaccine introduction.
- A GBS vaccine targeting serotypes Ia, Ib, and III could potentially prevent 68% of early-onset GBS disease in neonates in this setting.
Background:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes significant morbidity and mortality in neonates, pregnant women and patients with underlying comorbidities. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is currently the mainstay of prevention and effective vaccine against invasive GBS disease is under clinical trial.
Objectives:
To describe the serotype distribution of invasive and colonizing GBS isolates in Sri Lanka.
Methods:
Probable GBS isolates from high vaginal swabs (HVS) and sterile body sites were collected from eight selected hospital laboratories. Following confirmation of the identification as group B Streptococcus by phenotypic methods including Lancefield grouping test (Plasmatic UK), isolates were tested for serotyping by latex agglutination test kit (STATEN serum institute, Denmark).
Results:
Out of the 145 probable GBS isolates only 100 from HVS and 37 from sterile body sites were confirmed as GBS. Serotype III was the most predominant in invasive GBS isolates followed by Ia, Ib, VI, II and V in the descending order of frequency. Serotype VI was the most predominant in HVS isolates followed by serotype III, V, Ia, II, Ib and IV. Difference of GBS serotype distribution between the invasive and HVS group was statistically significant (P value = 0.038).
Conclusion:
Serotype distribution pattern of the study isolates was comparable to most of the other developing and developed countries and hence will be beneficial in future vaccine introduction. GBS vaccine which is currently under clinical trial (Ia, Ib and III) is potentially effective for preventing 68% of the early onset disease in neonates in this study setting.
