title: Serotype distribution of invasive group B streptococcal isolates in infants: results from a nationwide active laboratory surveillance study over 2 years in Germany.
abstract: We report the serotype distribution of invasive group B streptococci (GBS) isolated from 296 infants in Germany. Serotype distribution was as follows: serotype Ia, 15%; Ib, 5%; II, 5%; III, 65%; IV, 1%; and V, 8%. Analysis of serotype according to the source of isolation highlighted the considerable role of serotype III in meningitis in early-onset infection (82%) and late-onset infection (84%). Use of a trivalent GBS vaccine in Germany could theoretically provide protection against 84% and 94% of invasive early-onset and late-onset infections, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fluegge
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Supper
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siedler
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berner
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008581:Meningitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012703:Serotyping; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*