July is Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Awareness Month – a time to increase understanding of Group B Streptococcus (also known as GBS, Strep B, or Streptococcus agalactiae) and the serious impact it can have on pregnant women, newborns and their families.
In this blog, MDR’s Dr Elita Jauneikaite, Assistant Professor in Microbiome and Bacterial Genomics, discusses the life-threatening infection and highlights from a recent gathering of the GBS research community.
This global awareness effort is championed by two dedicated charities, Group B Strep Support and Group B Strep International, who work tirelessly to educate families and healthcare professionals, and provide vital support to those affected by GBS.
GBS is a leading cause of life-threatening infections in newborns, and raising awareness is key to improving prevention, detection, and care. It has been estimated that >230,000 early-onset (0-6 days post birth) and >160,000 late-onset (7-90 days post birth) infant invasive GBS disease occurred in 2020.
Despite increased awareness of GBS and better treatment options, GBS infections are rising globally, and the disease burden is disproportionately faced by low- and middle-income countries.
A recent Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Disease (LISSSD) brought together global researchers working on streptococcal species to share their cutting-edge findings on GBS evolution, transmission and biology, with the aim of better informing interventions and improving outcomes for patients.
Highlights included:
- GBS carriage rates vary by geography, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status, with higher rates in certain ethnic groups, older mothers, and socioeconomically deprived populations
- The majority of GBS infection isolates were positive for vaccine targets – capsular serotypes and surface proteins
- Vaccines targeting surface protein antigens show promise in inducing robust, broad immunity in adults
- Large-scale genomic studies of global GBS isolates revealed extensive genetic diversity, with lineage-specific genes, antimicrobial resistance patterns, with some gene-specific hits reported to potentially provide more insights into pathogen specificity to cause disease in neonates or adults, as well as potential other genes that could be future vaccine targets
- Vaginal interactions including Candida albicansco-colonization influence GBS persistence and ascension
- Patient stories underscoring the urgency of developing preventive solutions
I was also proud to give an oral presentation at the conference, highlighting the work that I am doing with colleagues at UKHSA to determine vaccine capsular serotypes and protein vaccine targets in disease-causing GBS in the UK.
The GBS research community remains committed to advancing vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, surveillance tools, and understanding host–microbe interactions. Sustained investment and global collaboration are essential to translate these insights into effective strategies to reduce the global GBS burden.