title: The spectrum of perinatal group B streptococcal disease.
abstract: The progressive unfolding, over four decades, of an understanding of group B Streptococcus (GBS) and its global disease burden support the rationale for maternal immunization as a key strategy to prevent GBS perinatal infections. This review highlights, in historical context, the recognition of GBS as a human pathogen, definition of epidemiologic features of disease, pathogenesis, outcomes, impact of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, development of glycoconjugate vaccines and appreciation of the global scope of GBS perinatal disease. These cumulative advances in the GBS field coupled with an increasing acceptance of immunization during pregnancy suggest the timing is optimal for introduction of a glycoconjugate GBS vaccine for use in pregnant women.
authors: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. cbaker@bcm.edu
authors: Carol J
authors: CJ
authors: Baker
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines
keywords: CDC; CPS; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; GBS; Group B Streptococcus; IAI; IAP; Ig; Maternal immunization; Meningitis; Neonates; PROM; PTL; Pregnancy; TT; US; United States; Vaccine; capsular polysaccharide; group B Streptococcus; immunoglobulin; intra-amniotic infection; intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis; preterm labor; prolonged rupture of membranes; tetanus toxoid