title: Molecular epidemiology of invasive neonatal Streptococcus agalactiae isolates in Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Streptococcus agalactiae [group B streptococcus (GBS)] is a well-known cause of invasive infections leading to sepsis and meningitis in neonates. A comprehensive nationwide active surveillance study over 2 years was performed in Germany to describe the molecular epidemiology among 296 invasive neonatal GBS isolates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Typing results were compared with serotypes as well as to clinical data on disease onset, meningitic involvement, and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A remarkable clustering was found with about 60% of all typeable invasive isolates being annotated to one of 7 major PFGE groups, and clusters being nationally widely spread over the whole time period. Despite heterogenic elements, certain PFGE groups were closely related to singular serotypes, especially serotypes V (82%), Ia (84%), and Ib (77%). PFGE groups and serotypes were also partly related to clinical presentation as either early onset disease or late onset disease, and either meningitis or nonmeningitic GBS disease, but not to outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a remarkable clonality among invasive GBS isolates that are widely spread geographically and in time; however, no specific clonal lines could be correlated to disease severity and outcome.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: von Both
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fluegge
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siedler
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berner