Research progress in late-onset group B Streptococcus infection in infants and its prevention

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major member of the Gram-positive Streptococcus family, which occupies a dominant position in the infection spectrum of newborns and young infants. GBS infections occurring 0‒6 days after birth are called GBS early-onset disease (GBS-EOD), and those occurring 7‒89 days are called GBS late-onset disease (GBS-LOD). With the use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, the incidence of neonatal GBS-EOD has declined without a notable impact on GBS-LOD, which brings great pressure and challenge to clinical diagnosis and nursing work. However, the specific mechanisms by which GBS transmission triggers illness in newborns and young infants are not fully elucidated. Some factors, such as maternal GBS colonization, maternal characteristics (age, weight and ethnicity), preterm birth, GBS infection in multiple births, and exposure to human immunodeficiency virus, have been identified as risk factors for GBS-LOD. To prevent maternal and infant GBS infection, some measures, such as vaccination of pregnant women, gut microbiota regulation and lactoferrin supplementation, are developing. In addition, strengthening maternal health care and health education, along with some other conventional infection control strategies (including enhancing hand hygiene awareness among caregivers and making good disinfection of the environment and equipment) is also effective in the prevention of GBS-LOD. This review elaborates the prevalence, transmission, risk factors and prevention of GBS-LOD in infants, aiming to improve the understanding and clinical practice ability of the medical staff.

Keywords

• infant
• late-onset
• group b streptococcus (gbs)
• infection
• prevention