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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

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Group B Streptococcal Disease

Karen M Puopolo1,2,3

  • 1University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

The New England Journal of Medicine
|February 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes invasive infections in newborns. Vaccines are in development to prevent GBS disease in all at-risk populations, including infants and adults.

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common colonizer of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.
  • GBS is the leading bacterial cause of invasive infections in U.S. newborns.
  • Current prevention strategies like intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis are limited to pregnant individuals and newborns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current landscape of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease.
  • To highlight the unmet need for prevention strategies beyond the neonatal period.
  • To discuss the potential of GBS vaccines for broader population protection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of GBS epidemiology and prevention strategies.
  • Analysis of current vaccine development approaches for GBS.
  • Assessment of GBS vaccine candidates targeting capsular polysaccharides conjugated to protein antigens.

Main Results:

  • GBS remains a significant threat to newborns, with limited prevention options for later infancy and nonpregnant adults.
  • Vaccines composed of GBS capsular polysaccharides conjugated to protein carriers are under development.
  • These novel vaccines show promise for preventing GBS disease across diverse at-risk groups.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need for GBS prevention strategies applicable to all age groups.
  • Developing GBS vaccines is a promising approach to address this public health challenge.
  • GBS vaccines may offer a comprehensive solution for preventing invasive GBS disease in vulnerable populations.

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