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Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique
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Prevalence of Candidate Vaccine Targets and Genomic Features of Pediatric Invasive Streptococcus Agalactiae in Japan

Masashi Kasai1,2, Satoshi Nakano3,4, Shota Koide3

  • 1Division of Infectious Disease, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|October 9, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Genomic surveillance in Japan shows current Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccines could cover most pediatric invasive infections. Further research into transmission routes is crucial for future prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes severe neonatal and infant infections like sepsis and meningitis.
  • Despite antibiotic prophylaxis, GBS remains a significant public health issue.
  • This study addresses GBS in Japan, focusing on pediatric invasive infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Estimate vaccine coverage for pediatric invasive GBS in Japan.
  • Characterize the genomic epidemiology of invasive GBS isolates.
  • Inform future prevention strategies for GBS infections.

Main Methods:

  • Nationwide, multicenter, retrospective genomic surveillance.
  • Analysis of 237 GBS isolates from children (≤15 years) in Japan (2004-2023).
  • Serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, and phylogenetic/SNP analyses were performed.

Main Results:

  • Serotype III was most common (48.1%), followed by Ia (27.4%) and Ib (12.2%).
  • Estimated vaccine coverage: 98.3% (hexavalent polysaccharide), 94.9% (GBS-NN/NN2 protein).
  • High resistance to erythromycin (61.2%) and clindamycin (43.5%); penicillin susceptibility maintained. Dominance of a multidrug-resistant CC17 clone identified. Evidence of nosocomial transmission and regional circulation within ST17 and ST23 lineages.

Conclusions:

  • Current maternal GBS vaccine candidates show potential for broad coverage against pediatric invasive infections in Japan.
  • Persistent and regionally disseminated lineages necessitate investigation of transmission routes, including environmental reservoirs.
  • Genomic data is vital for developing effective future GBS prevention strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
Group B StreptococcusStreptococcus agalactiaepediatrictransmissionvaccine

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