title: Group B streptococcal disease in UK and Irish infants younger than 90 days.
abstract: The incidence, morbidity, and mortality of group B streptococcal disease in the UK and Republic of Ireland are largely unknown. Between Feb 1, 2000, and Feb 28, 2001, we identified cases of invasive group B streptococcal disease in infants younger than 90 days through surveillance involving paediatricians, microbiologists, and parents. 568 cases were identified, equivalent to a total incidence of 0.72 per 1000 live-births (95% CI 0.66-0.78); the incidence for early-onset disease (n=377) was 0.48 per 1000 (0.43-0.53), and for late-onset disease (n=191) was 0.24 per 1000 (0.21-0.28). Risk factors were identifiable for 218 (58%) cases of early-onset disease. 53 infants died (overall 9.7%). We have established the minimum current burden of group B streptococcal disease in UK and Irish infants. This information will assist in the formulation of guidelines for prevention of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Vaccine Institute, St George's Hospital, London, UK. pheath@sghms.ac.uk
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balfour
authors.forename: Abbie M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Weisner
authors.forename: Androulla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Efstratiou
authors.forename: Theresa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Lamagni
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tighe
authors.forename: Liam A F
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cafferkey
authors.forename: Neville Q
authors.initials: NQ
authors.lastname: Verlander
authors.forename: Angus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicoll
authors.forename: A Christine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McCartney
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology