Immunogenicity of group B Streptococcus type III polysaccharide-tetanus toxoid vaccine in baboons

Maternal vaccination has been proposed as a rational approach for the prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. In this study, baboons were used as a nonhuman primate model to evaluate the immunogenicity of a GBS type III glycoconjugate vaccine. Type III-specific immunoglobulin G with opsonic activity was induced after vaccination with type III polysaccharide coupled to tetanus toxoid administered with an aluminum adjuvant. This suggests that baboons could be used in evaluating maternal transfer of GBS-specific antibodies by vaccination during pregnancy.