A Time to Save. (16th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baker, Carol J
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Volume 7:Number 1(2018:Mar.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2017-01-16
• Subjects: Group B Streptococcus -- infants -- maternal immunization -- sepsis and meningitis -- vaccine; Communicable diseases in children -- Periodicals; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.929
• DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piw080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-7193

Abstract

Abstract: Group B Streptococcus (GBS), characterized by Lancefield in 1933, was not recognized as a human pathogen until the early 1970s when it emerged and replaced Escherichia coli as the most common cause of sepsis and meningitis among neonates and young infants. This article briefly gives a personnel account of the discovery of clinical syndromes of GBS distinguished by age at onset, vertical mode of transmission for early-onset disease, meningeal tropism for GBS capsular (CPS) type III strains, and protective CPS epitopes. It also reviews the difficult evolution of the now routine program for antenatal GBS culture screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, development of the first GBS candidate vaccines, clinical trials documenting the immunogenicity and safety of CPS tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccines, ongoing need to prevent morbidity and mortality in neonates and young infants, and critical need for commercial vaccines for routine use in pregnant women.