Affiliations: Birmingham Women's Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham,
UK | King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, Essex,
UK
Note: [] Correspondence: James W. Gray, Department of Microbiology,
Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK. Tel.: +44 121 333 9815;
Fax: +44 121 333 9811; E-mail: jim.gray@bch.nhs.uk
Abstract: Group B streptococci (GBS) have been recognized as a leading cause
of serious early-onset neonatal sepsis for 30 years. Introduction of
intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) has led to a decrease in neonatal
early-onset GBS (EOGBS) disease and in early neonatal sepsis-related mortality
in many countries. At present decisions concerning the administration of IAP
are usually based on either the presence of risk factors at the time of labor,
or on screening of women at 35–37 weeks gestation. A new generation of rapid
test for GBS suitable for point of care use offer the prospect of accurately
detecting GBS during labor, which might improve targeting of IAP. Looking
further ahead, active immunization of women before or during pregnancy may
become the mainstay of prevention of neonatal EOGBS disease. In this article
the role of GBS as a neonatal pathogen, and current and possible future
strategies for prevention of neonatal EOGBS disease, are reviewed.
Keywords: Group B streptococcus, neonatal infection, prevention, diagnosis
