Protective effect of Group B Streptococcus type-III polysaccharide conjugates against maternal colonization, ascending infection and neonatal transmission in rodent models

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 7;8(1):2593. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20609-5.

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a normal inhabitant of recto-vaginal mucosae in up to 30% of healthy women. Colonization is a major risk factor for perinatal infection which can lead to severe complications such as stillbirth and neonatal invasive disease. Intra-partum antibiotic prophylaxis in colonized women is a safe and cost-effective preventive measure against early-onset disease in the first days of life, but has no effect on late-onset manifestations or on early maternal infection. Maternal immunization with capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines shows promise for the prevention of both early-onset and late-onset neonatal infections, although ability to prevent maternal colonization and ascending infection has been less studied. Here we investigated the effect of a GBS glycoconjugate vaccine since the very early stage of maternal GBS acquisition to neonatal outcome by rodent models of vaginal colonization and ascending infection. Immunization of female mice and rats with a type III glycoconjugate reduced vaginal colonization, infection of chorioamniotic/ placental membranes and bacterial transmission to fetuses and pups. Type III specific antibodies were detected in the blood and vagina of vaccinated mothers and their offspring. The obtained data support a potential preventive effect of GBS glycoconjugate vaccines during the different stages of pregnancy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control*
  • Mice
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / administration & dosage
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Rats
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Streptococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Vaccination
  • Vagina / microbiology*

Substances

  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • Streptococcal Vaccines
  • streptococcal polysaccharide type III group B