title: Preventing the broad spectrum of perinatal morbidity and mortality through group B streptococcal vaccination.
abstract: The development of a group B streptococcal (GBS) glycoconjugate vaccine and its upcoming evaluation in a phase 3 trial in pregnant women highlight the importance of defining the anticipated impact of GBS vaccination upon the broad spectrum of GBS-related perinatal morbidity and mortality. We present the specific pregnancy-associated and neonatal conditions attributable, at least in part, to GBS in high and lower income countries. We offer a rationale to support our contention that implementation of GBS glycoconjugate immunization during pregnancy will reduce the global burden of GBS-related morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and their infants.
authors.affiliation: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. morvene@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Morven S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gonik
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate