Etiological serotype and genotype distributions and clinical characteristics of group B streptococcus-inducing invasive disease among infants in South China

Abstract

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS)-induced invasive disease is a major cause of illness and death among infants aged under 90 days in China; however, invasive GBS infection remains unknown in China. We aimed to describe the serotype and genotype distributions of early-onset disease (EOD) and late-onset disease (LOD), and to show the clinical correlations among various GBS serotypes and genotypes obtained from infants with invasive GBS infections. Methods: Between June 1, 2016 and June 1, 2018, 84 GBS strains were collected from patients younger than 90 days at seven Chinese hospitals. Clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. GBS serotyping was conducted and multi-locus sequence typing was performed. Results: Serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, and V were detected. Serotype III (60.71%) was the most common, followed by Ia (16.67%) and Ib (14.29%). Intrapartum temperature ≥ 37.5°C, chorioamnionitis, and mortality were noted in 28.57, 42.86, and 28.57% of patients with serotype Ia, respectively, and these rates were higher than those in patients with serotypes Ib and III (P = 0.041, P = 0.031, and P = 0.023, respectively). The incidence of respiratory distress was lower (P = 0.039) while that of purulent meningitis was higher (P = 0.026) in the serotype III group. Eighteen sequence types were detected among isolates, and ST17 [42.86% (36/84)] was the most prevalent. Conclusions: GBS isolates belonging to serotypes Ia, Ib, and III are common in southern mainland China, and ST17 is highly prevalent. Differences were found in the clinical manifestations of invasive GBS disease induced by serotypes Ia and III.

Relationship between vaginal group B streptococcus colonization in the early stage of pregnancy and preterm birth: a retrospective cohort study

“…Second, the lack of performing GBS serotyping. Some studies emphasize the importance of serotyping of GBS because it is suggested that GBS has different clinical features depending on its serotype [ 22 , 23 ]. Third is the lack of placental pathology that could have provided evidence to support the relationship between GBS infection and chorioamnionitis and placental membrane inflammation.…”

Provision of medication abortion in Hawai‘i during COVID-19: Practical experience with multiple care delivery models

“…It is important to highlight that technological barriers to using telemedicine may exacerbate existing health disparities rather than decreasing disparities by increasing access [ 13 , 14 ]. This can lead to intervention-generated inequalities, widening the gap between those who own a device with videoconferencing capability, are comfortable using that technology, and have access to the internet versus those who do not have these resources.…”

“…The same people who have access to technology are also likely to be more educated with more social and economic resources, reinforcing the already better health outcomes of this group [15] . In addition, interpreter services may not be as readily available for use in telemedicine, impacting the options available for those with low English proficiency [13] . A third of our patients still came to clinic, demonstrating that it is still important to offer a clinic option for those who have limited technology access, screen in to requiring an ultrasound, or prefer a face-to-face interaction.…”

Nutrition and Acute Pancreatitis

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