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Limaye RJ, Singh P, Fesshaye B, Lee C, Schue J, Karron RA. "Why has this new vaccine come and for what reasons?" key antecedents and questions for acceptance of a future maternal GBS vaccine: Perspectives of pregnant women, lactating women, and community members in Kenya. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2314826. [PMID: 38345050 PMCID: PMC10863339 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2314826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading global cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis, stillbirth, and puerperal sepsis. While intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is a currently available GBS disease prevention strategy, IAP is programmatically complex to implement, precluding use in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, 2% of stillbirths are attributable to GBS infection. Two maternal GBS vaccines are in late-stage clinical development. However, licensure of a maternal GBS vaccine does not translate into reduction of disease. We conducted 28 in-depth interviews with pregnant people, lactating people, and community members across two counties in Kenya to better understand the attitudes and informational needs of primary vaccine beneficiaries. We identified two emerging themes from the data. The first focused on antecedents to maternal GBS vaccine acceptability. The most common antecedents focused on the vaccine's ability to protect the baby and/or the mother, followed by community sensitization before the vaccine was available. The second key theme focused on questions that would need to be addressed before someone could accept a maternal GBS vaccine. Three key categories of questions were identified, including vaccine safety compared to vaccine benefits, who gets the vaccine, and how the vaccine works. Realizing the potential benefits of a future GBS maternal vaccine will require a multifactorial approach, including ensuring that communities are aware of GBS-related harms as well as the safety and effectiveness of a maternal GBS vaccine. Our study contributes to informing this multifactorial approach by elucidating the attitudes and concerns of key populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupali J. Limaye
- Department of International Health, Department of Epidemiology, Department of Health, Behavior & Society, International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Prachi Singh
- Department of International Health, International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Berhaun Fesshaye
- Department of International Health, International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Clarice Lee
- Department of International Health, International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Schue
- Department of International Health, International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruth A. Karron
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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Liu Y, Ai H. Current research update on group B streptococcal infection related to obstetrics and gynecology. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1395673. [PMID: 38953105 PMCID: PMC11215423 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1395673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Group B streptococcal (GBS) is a Gram-positive bacterium that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and urogenital tract. GBS infestation during pregnancy is a significant contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. This article aims to discuss the infectious diseases caused by GBS in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, as well as the challenges associated with the detection, treatment, and prevention of GBS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hao Ai
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Follicular Development and Reproductive Health, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
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3
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Pena JMS, Lannes-Costa PS, Nagao PE. Vaccines for Streptococcus agalactiae: current status and future perspectives. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1430901. [PMID: 38947337 PMCID: PMC11211565 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1430901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
A maternal vaccine to protect newborns against invasive Streptococcus agalactiae infection is a developing medical need. The vaccine should be offered during the third trimester of pregnancy and induce strong immune responses and placental transfer of protective antibodies. Polysaccharide vaccines against S. agalactiae conjugated to protein carriers are in advanced stages of development. Additionally, protein-based vaccines are also in development, showing great promise as they can provide protection regardless of serotype. Furthermore, safety concerns regarding a new vaccine are the main barriers identified. Here, we present vaccines in development and identified safety, cost, and efficacy concerns, especially in high-need, low-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Matheus Sobral Pena
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pamella Silva Lannes-Costa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Prescilla Emy Nagao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Physiology of Streptococci, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Rio de Janeiro State University - UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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4
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Brissac T, Guyonnet C, Sadouni A, Hernández-Montoya A, Jacquemet E, Legendre R, Sismeiro O, Trieu-Cuot P, Lanotte P, Tazi A, Firon A. Coordinated regulation of osmotic imbalance by c-di-AMP shapes ß-lactam tolerance in Group B Streptococcus. MICROLIFE 2024; 5:uqae014. [PMID: 38993744 PMCID: PMC11238645 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqae014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae is among the few pathogens that have not developed resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics despite decades of clinical use. The molecular basis of this long-lasting susceptibility has not been investigated, and it is not known whether specific mechanisms constrain the emergence of resistance. In this study, we first report ß-lactam tolerance due to the inactivation of the c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase GdpP. Mechanistically, tolerance depends on antagonistic regulation by the repressor BusR, which is activated by c-di-AMP and negatively regulates ß-lactam susceptibility through the BusAB osmolyte transporter and the AmaP/Asp23/GlsB cell envelope stress complex. The BusR transcriptional response is synergistic with the simultaneous allosteric inhibition of potassium and osmolyte transporters by c-di-AMP, which individually contribute to low-level ß-lactam tolerance. Genome-wide transposon mutagenesis confirms the role of GdpP and highlights functional interactions between a lysozyme-like hydrolase, the KhpAB RNA chaperone and the protein S immunomodulator in the response of GBS to ß-lactam. Overall, we demonstrate that c-di-AMP acts as a turgor pressure rheostat, coordinating an integrated response at the transcriptional and post-translational levels to cell wall weakening caused by ß-lactam activity, and reveal additional mechanisms that could foster resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Brissac
- Department of Microbiology, Biology of Gram-positive Pathogens, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Guyonnet
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8104, Team Bacteria and Perinatality, 75015, Paris, France
- Department of Bacteriology, French National Reference Center for Streptococci, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Hôpital Cochin, 75005, Paris, France
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Fighting Prematurity, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Aymane Sadouni
- Department of Microbiology, Biology of Gram-positive Pathogens, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Ariadna Hernández-Montoya
- Department of Microbiology, Biology of Gram-positive Pathogens, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Elise Jacquemet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Rachel Legendre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Odile Sismeiro
- Department of Microbiology, Biology of Gram-positive Pathogens, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Trieu-Cuot
- Department of Microbiology, Biology of Gram-positive Pathogens, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Lanotte
- Université de Tours, INRAE, UMR 1282 ISP, 3700, Tours, France
- CHRU de Tours, Service de Bactériologie-Virologie, 37044, Tours, France
| | - Asmaa Tazi
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR8104, Team Bacteria and Perinatality, 75015, Paris, France
- Department of Bacteriology, French National Reference Center for Streptococci, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Hôpital Cochin, 75005, Paris, France
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Fighting Prematurity, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Firon
- Department of Microbiology, Biology of Gram-positive Pathogens, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
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5
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Goh KGK, Desai D, Thapa R, Prince D, Acharya D, Sullivan MJ, Ulett GC. An opportunistic pathogen under stress: how Group B Streptococcus responds to cytotoxic reactive species and conditions of metal ion imbalance to survive. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae009. [PMID: 38678005 PMCID: PMC11098048 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS; also known as Streptococcus agalactiae) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that causes sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, and skin and soft tissue infections in neonates and healthy or immunocompromised adults. GBS is well-adapted to survive in humans due to a plethora of virulence mechanisms that afford responses to support bacterial survival in dynamic host environments. These mechanisms and responses include counteraction of cell death from exposure to excess metal ions that can cause mismetallation and cytotoxicity, and strategies to combat molecules such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are generated as part of innate host defence. Cytotoxicity from reactive molecules can stem from damage to proteins, DNA, and membrane lipids, potentially leading to bacterial cell death inside phagocytic cells or within extracellular spaces within the host. Deciphering the ways in which GBS responds to the stress of cytotoxic reactive molecules within the host will benefit the development of novel therapeutic and preventative strategies to manage the burden of GBS disease. This review summarizes knowledge of GBS carriage in humans and the mechanisms used by the bacteria to circumvent killing by these important elements of host immune defence: oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, and stress from metal ion intoxication/mismetallation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin G K Goh
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Devika Desai
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Ruby Thapa
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Darren Prince
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Dhruba Acharya
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Matthew J Sullivan
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Glen C Ulett
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
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6
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Leung S, Collett CF, Allen L, Lim S, Maniatis P, Bolcen SJ, Alston B, Patel PY, Kwatra G, Hall T, Thomas S, Taylor S, Le Doare K, Gorringe A. Development of A Standardized Opsonophagocytosis Killing Assay for Group B Streptococcus and Assessment in an Interlaboratory Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1703. [PMID: 38006035 PMCID: PMC10675794 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The placental transfer of antibodies that mediate bacterial clearance via phagocytes is likely important for protection against invasive group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease. A robust functional assay is essential to determine the immune correlates of protection and assist vaccine development. Using standard reagents, we developed and optimized an opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPKA) where dilutions of test sera were incubated with bacteria, baby rabbit complement (BRC) and differentiated HL60 cells (dHL60) for 30 min. Following overnight incubation, the surviving bacteria were enumerated and the % bacterial survival was calculated relative to serum-negative controls. A reciprocal 50% killing titer was then assigned. The minimal concentrations of anti-capsular polysaccharide (CPS) IgG required for 50% killing were 1.65-3.70 ng/mL (depending on serotype). Inhibition of killing was observed using sera absorbed with homologous CPS but not heterologous CPS, indicating specificity for anti-CPS IgG. The assay performance was examined in an interlaboratory study using residual sera from CPS-conjugate vaccine trials with international partners in the Group B Streptococcus Assay STandardisatiON (GASTON) Consortium. Strong correlations of reported titers between laboratories were observed: ST-Ia r = 0.88, ST-Ib r = 0.91, ST-II r = 0.91, ST-III r = 0.90 and ST-V r = 0.94. The OPKA is an easily transferable assay with accessible standard reagents and will be a valuable tool to assess GBS-specific antibodies in natural immunity and vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Leung
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK (A.G.)
| | - Clare F. Collett
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK (A.G.)
| | - Lauren Allen
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK (A.G.)
| | - Suzanna Lim
- Maternal and Neonatal Vaccine Immunology Research Group, Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (S.L.); (T.H.)
| | - Pete Maniatis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (P.M.)
| | - Shanna J. Bolcen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (P.M.)
| | | | - Palak Y. Patel
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (P.M.)
| | - Gaurav Kwatra
- South African Medical Research Council, Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Tom Hall
- Maternal and Neonatal Vaccine Immunology Research Group, Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (S.L.); (T.H.)
| | - Stephen Thomas
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK (A.G.)
| | - Stephen Taylor
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK (A.G.)
| | - Kirsty Le Doare
- Maternal and Neonatal Vaccine Immunology Research Group, Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (S.L.); (T.H.)
| | - Andrew Gorringe
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK (A.G.)
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7
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Hanze Villavicencio KL, Job MJ, Burghard AC, Taffet A, Banda FM, Vurayai M, Mokomane M, Arscott-Mills T, Mazhani T, Nchingane S, Thomas B, Steenhoff AP, Ratner AJ. Genomic Analysis of Group B Streptococcus Carriage Isolates From Botswana Reveals Distinct Local Epidemiology and Identifies Novel Strains. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad496. [PMID: 37869411 PMCID: PMC10588617 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In pregnant people colonized with group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Botswana, we report the presence/expansion of sequence types 223 and 109, a low rate of erythromycin resistance, and 3 novel sequence types. These data highlight the importance of local epidemiologic studies of GBS, a significant source of neonatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Hanze Villavicencio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Megan J Job
- Department of Pediatrics, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anne Claire Burghard
- Department of Pediatrics, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NewYork, USA
| | - Allison Taffet
- Department of Pediatrics, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Francis M Banda
- Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Moses Vurayai
- School of Allied Health Professionals, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Margaret Mokomane
- School of Allied Health Professionals, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Tonya Arscott-Mills
- Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Global Health Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tiny Mazhani
- Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Brady Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, Stead Family Children's Hospital, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Andrew P Steenhoff
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics & Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Global Health Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adam J Ratner
- Department of Pediatrics, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology, NewYork University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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8
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Wang J, Li W, Li N, Wang B. Immunization with Multiple Virulence Factors Provides Maternal and Neonatal Protection against Group B Streptococcus Serotypes. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1459. [PMID: 37766135 PMCID: PMC10535937 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Group B streptococcus (GBS) commonly colonizes the vaginal tract and is a leading cause of life-threatening neonatal infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes. No effective vaccine is clinically available. Conserved bacterial virulence factors, including those of GBS, have been employed as vaccine components. We investigated serotype-independent protection against GBS by intranasal immunization with six conserved GBS virulence factors (GBSV6). GBSV6 induced systemic and vaginal antibodies and T cell responses in mice. The immunity reduced mouse mortality and vaginal colonization by various GBS serotypes and protected newborn mice of immunized dams against GBS challenge. Intranasal GBSV6 immunization also provided long-lasting protective immunity and had advantages over intramuscular GBSV6 immunization regarding restricting vaginal GBS colonization. Our findings indicate that intranasal immunization targeting multiple conserved GBS virulence factors induces serotype-independent immunity, which protects against GBS infection systemically and vaginally in dams and prevents newborn death. The study presents valuable strategies for GBS vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Varnotech Biopharm Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Wenbo Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Varnotech Biopharm Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Beinan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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9
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Gonçalves BP, Poyraz O, Paul P, Lawn JE. Inferring longitudinal patterns of group B Streptococcus colonization during pregnancy. iScience 2023; 26:107023. [PMID: 37534153 PMCID: PMC10391671 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal colonization by Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can lead to severe infection in neonates and has also been associated with prematurity and stillbirth. Better quantitative understanding of the trajectories of GBS carriage during pregnancy is essential for the design of informative epidemiological studies. Here, we describe analyses of published longitudinal data using Bayesian hidden Markov models, which involve the estimation of parameters related to the succession of latent states (infection status) and observations (culture positivity). In addition to quantifying infection acquisition and clearance probabilities, the statistical approach also suggests that for some longitudinal patterns of culture results, pregnant women were likely to have been GBS-colonized despite a negative diagnostic result. We believe this method, if used in future longitudinal studies of maternal GBS colonization, would improve our understanding of the pathologies linked to this bacterium and could also inform maternal GBS vaccine trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronner P. Gonçalves
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Onur Poyraz
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University School of Science, Aalto, Finland
| | - Proma Paul
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Joy E. Lawn
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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10
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Baker CJ. Group B Streptococcal Vaccine - Sisyphus Reconciled. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:275-277. [PMID: 37467503 DOI: 10.1056/nejme2306234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carol J Baker
- From the Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
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11
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Dangor Z, Seale AC, Baba V, Kwatra G. Early-onset group B streptococcal disease in African countries and maternal vaccination strategies. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1214844. [PMID: 37457277 PMCID: PMC10338870 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1214844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive group B streptococcal (GBS) disease is the commonest perinatally-acquired bacterial infection in newborns; the burden is higher in African countries where intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis strategies are not feasible. In sub-Saharan Africa, almost one in four newborns with GBS early-onset disease will demise, and one in ten survivors have moderate or severe neurodevelopmental impairment. A maternal GBS vaccine to prevent invasive GBS disease in infancy is a pragmatic and cost-effective preventative strategy for Africa. Hexavalent polysaccharide protein conjugate and Alpha family surface protein vaccines are undergoing phase II clinical trials. Vaccine licensure may be facilitated by demonstrating safety and immunological correlates/thresholds suggestive of protection against invasive GBS disease. This will then be followed by phase IV effectiveness studies to assess the burden of GBS vaccine preventable disease, including the effect on all-cause neonatal infections, neonatal deaths and stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyaad Dangor
- South African Medical Research Council, Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anna C. Seale
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, United States
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Vuyelwa Baba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gaurav Kwatra
- South African Medical Research Council, Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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12
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Gamma-Irradiated Non-Capsule Group B Streptococcus Promotes T-Cell Dependent Immunity and Provides a Cross-Protective Reaction. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/ph16020321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in the genitourinary tract and is also a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and pneumonia. Despite the current antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP), the disease burdens of late-onset disease in newborns and non-pregnant adult infections are increasing. Recently, inactivation of the pathogens via gamma radiation has been proven to eliminate their replication ability but cause less damage to the antigenicity of the key epitopes. In this study, the non-capsule GBS strain was inactivated via radiation (Rad-GBS) or formalin (Che-GBS), and we further determined its immunogenicity and protective efficacy as vaccines. Notably, Rad-GBS was more immunogenic and gave rise to higher expression of costimulatory molecules in BMDCs in comparison with Che-GBS. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that Rad-GBS induced a stronger CD4+ IFN-γ+ and CD4+IL-17A+ population in mice. The protective efficacy was measured through challenge with the highly virulent strain CNCTC 10/84, and the adoptive transfer results further showed that the protective role is reversed by functionally neutralizing antibodies and T cells. Finally, cross-protection against challenges with prevalent serotypes of GBS was induced by Rad-GBS. The higher opsonophagocytic killing activity of sera against multiple serotypes was determined in sera from mice immunized with Rad-GBS. Overall, our results showed that the inactivated whole-cell encapsulated GBS could be an alternative strategy for universal vaccine development against invasive GBS infections.
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