Developing a maternal vaccine against
Group B Streptococcus

What is GBS?

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common commensal colonizing some 20% of pregnant women. GBS colonization may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and is the leading cause of life-threatening infections in newborn babies during the first 3 months of life. It is estimated to be responsible for some 320,000 cases of neonatal invasive disease, 60,000 stillbirths, 3,500,000 preterm deliveries, and 10,000 babies suffering from long-term neurological damage annually world-wide.

The National Institute of Health of the US has identified prevention of GBS in newborns as a major vaccine objective, but so far no approved or universally useful vaccine exists. Current intervention involves the use of vast quantities of prophylactic antibiotics given to birthing women, which has resulted in the emergence of wide-spread antibiotic resistance and may impact neonatal development.

A general vaccine effective against relevant strains of GBS is poised to have both a great medical and pharmacoeconomical impact if administered universally to pregnant women.