Author:
Lohrmann Florens,Efstratiou Androulla,Sørensen Uffe B. Skov,Creti Roberta,Decheva Antoaneta,Křížová Pavla,Kozáková Jana,Rodriguez-Granger Javier,De La Rosa Fraile Manuel,Margarit Immaculada,Rinaudo Daniela,Maione Domenico,Telford John,Orefici Graziella,Kilian Mogens,Afshar Baharak,Melin Pierrette,Berner Reinhard,Hufnagel Markus,Kunze Mirjam, ,Poulsen K,Karstens L,Baldassarri L,Rigat F,Berardi A,Imperi M
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Despite national guidelines and use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP), Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci (GBS)) is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns in Europe and the United States. The European DEVANI (Design of a Vaccine Against Neonatal Infections) program assessed the neonatal GBS infection burden in Europe, the clinical characteristics of colonized women and microbiological data of GBS strains in colonized women and their infants with early-onset disease (EOD).
Methods
Overall, 1083 pregnant women with a GBS-positive culture result from eight European countries were included in the study. Clinical obstetrical information was collected by a standardized questionnaire. GBS strains were characterized by serological and molecular methods.
Results
Among GBS carriers included in this study after testing positive for GBS by vaginal or recto-vaginal sampling, 13.4% had at least one additional obstetrical risk factor for EOD. The five most common capsular types (i.e., Ia, Ib, II, III and V) comprised ~ 93% of GBS carried. Of the colonized women, 77.8% received any IAP, and in 49.5% the IAP was considered appropriate. In our cohort, nine neonates presented with GBS early-onset disease (EOD) with significant regional heterogeneity.
Conclusions
Screening methods and IAP rates need to be harmonized across Europe in order to reduce the rates of EOD. The epidemiological data from eight different European countries provides important information for the development of a successful GBS vaccine.
Funder
Seventh Framework Programme
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA
Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC