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A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
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Selenium Exerts Antimicrobial Activity against the Perinatal Pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae and Perturbs Bacterial

Riya Chinni1, Kensley Horner2, Walter Avila2

  • 1Medicine Health and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.

ACS Bio & Med Chem Au
|October 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Selenium shows antimicrobial activity against Group B Streptococcus (GBS), inhibiting its growth and adherence. This suggests selenium could be a cost-effective method to reduce GBS perinatal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a pathogenic bacterium causing severe perinatal infections.
  • Epidemiological data suggest selenium offers protection against infections and supports healthy pregnancy.
  • The potential antimicrobial role of selenium against GBS remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antimicrobial activity of selenium against GBS.
  • To evaluate selenium's effect on GBS growth and adherence to gestational tissues.
  • To compare the sensitivity of colonizing and invasive GBS strains to selenium.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of GBS strains (colonizing and invasive) to varying concentrations of selenium.
  • Assessment of bacterial growth inhibition in response to selenium.
  • Evaluation of GBS adherence to gestational tissues following selenium exposure.

Main Results:

  • Selenium demonstrated significant inhibition of GBS growth.
  • Selenium reduced GBS adherence to gestational tissues.
  • Colonizing GBS strains were more sensitive to selenium's inhibitory effects than invasive strains.

Conclusions:

  • Selenium exhibits antimicrobial properties against GBS.
  • Selenium can inhibit GBS growth and reduce its adherence to maternal tissues.
  • Selenium presents a potential cost-effective intervention for preventing GBS-related perinatal infections.

Keywords:
GBSbiofilminfectionmicronutrientselenium

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