Review
Microbiology
Teresa Tavares, Liliana Pinho, Elva Bonifacio Andrade
Summary: Neonatal bacterial meningitis caused by Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a severe disease associated with high mortality and neurological disability. Maternal colonization with GBS is the main risk factor for neonatal invasive disease. Despite preventive measures and improved neonatal care, the incidence and morbidity of GBS meningitis have not decreased. Many survivors suffer from complex neurological or neuropsychiatric sequelae.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ziyaad Dangor, Anna C. Seale, Vuyelwa Baba, Gaurav Kwatra
Summary: Invasive group B streptococcal (GBS) disease is a significant problem in newborns, especially in African countries where preventive strategies are limited. The high mortality and serious neurodevelopmental impairments caused by GBS emphasize the need for a maternal vaccine. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the safety and efficacy of hexavalent polysaccharide protein conjugate and Alpha family surface protein vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Marianne Yanni, Michael Stark, Laura Francis, Joshua R. Francis, Mark McMillan, Rob Baird, Paul T. Heath, Alex Gordon, James Riccardione, Angela Wilson, Rebecca Lee, Kathrina Chooi, Olivia-Paris Quinn, Helen S. S. Marshall
Summary: This study aimed to determine the risk factors and incidence of neonatal early-onset and late-onset group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT). The results showed that GBS is still a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and adding previous fetal death to GBS screening guidelines would improve prevention. Additionally, the introduction of maternal GBS vaccination programs should be guided by country-specific disease epidemiology.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Morven S. Edwards, Marcia A. Bench, Carol J. Baker
Summary: This article presents the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 10 children with invasive group B streptococcal disease. Seven had conditions predisposing to infection, while 3 had no identifiable risk factors. With appropriate consideration of pathogenesis, source control, and treatment, all children recovered.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Sarah Shabayek, Patricia Ferrieri, Barbara Spellerberg
Summary: Streptococcus agalactiae or group B streptococcus (GBS) is a significant pathogen globally and represents a high disease burden in Africa. Investigations in different African countries show that while some serotypes and MLST data are similar to other continents, there are also specific differences, with serotype V being predominant in maternal strains in many African countries.
Article
Immunology
Yan Wang, Yangyu Zhao, Liying Zou, Jie Qiao, William E. Benitz
Summary: Prevention strategies for early-onset group B Streptococcus neonatal sepsis need to be tailored to different regions in mainland China based on varying rates of GBS colonization and infection. Screening strategies may be more suitable for areas with higher attack rates, while risk factor-based strategies may suffice in regions with lower attack rates in reducing EOGBS incidence.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
John M. McLaughlin, Paula Peyrani, Stephen Furmanek, Farid L. Khan, Angela Quinn, Luis Jodar, Julio Ramirez, David L. Swerdlow
Summary: A population-based study in adults found the annual incidence of GBS-associated hospitalization to be 73 per 100,000 adults, with noninvasive GBS infections occurring 3.7 times more often than invasive infections. This suggests that the burden of GBS among adults is greater than previously recognized.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rachel Scheftelowitz Cohen, Gabriel Chodik, Vered H. Eisenberg
Summary: Universal culture-based screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) was found to be more cost-effective and preventive compared to the current risk-based policy in Israel. Due to clinical and economic benefits, a change in policy should be considered.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Mahin Delara, Nirma Khatri Vadlamudi, Manish Sadarangani
Summary: Group B Streptococcus is a bacterium that can cause infections in pregnant women and newborns, resulting in adverse outcomes. Current preventive measures include intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, but it is not effective for all cases. Probiotics and immunization in pregnancy show promising results in preventing Group B Streptococcus infections. Challenges in developing GBS vaccines include understanding the optimal timing of administration and potential serotype switching.
Article
Business
Laihui Liu, Suxia An
Summary: Poverty is a significant obstacle to development in developing countries, and eliminating poverty is a shared global goal. However, the impact of deindustrialization on poverty in developing countries has received limited attention. This study collects cross-country panel data and employs a fixed-effects model to systematically examine the effects of deindustrialization on poverty incidence. The empirical results show that deindustrialization increases poverty, mainly through reducing economic growth, degrading employment quality, and eliminating traditional manufacturing jobs.
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Seilesh Kadambari, Caroline L. Trotter, Paul T. Heath, Michael J. Goldacre, Andrew J. Pollard, Raphael Goldacre
Summary: This study assessed the burden of GBS disease and mortality in young infants in England, finding that there was no significant change in the annual incidence of GBS disease over the years, but a significant decline in GBS-attributable mortality. Infants with GBS had higher rates of visual impairment, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and necrotizing enterocolitis compared to those without GBS.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rossella Baldan, Sara Droz, Carlo Casanova, Laura Knabben, Dorothy J. Huang, Christine Brulisauer, Andre B. Kind, Elke Krause, Stefanie Mauerer, Barbara Spellerberg, Parham Sendi
Summary: The study found a similar colonization rate of GBS in elderly women compared to pregnant women, but did not find any association between known risk factors and GBS colonization.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Lindsey R. Burcham, Madeline S. Akbari, Norhan Alhajjar, Rebecca A. Keogh, Jana N. Radin, Thomas E. Kehl-Fie, Ashton T. Belew, Najib M. El-Sayed, Kevin S. McIver, Kelly S. Doran
Summary: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is associated with severe infections in utero and in newborn populations, and our understanding of the factors required for GBS persistence in the female reproductive tract (FRT) remains limited. In this study, we identified several genes necessary for GBS survival and colonization in the FRT using a transposon mutant library. We found that mutations in the mtsA gene, which is involved in manganese transport, were significantly underrepresented in all in vivo samples collected. We also demonstrated that mtsA contributes to GBS survival during metal limitation and oxidative stress. This work reveals the importance of Mn2+ homeostasis in GBS survival in the FRT.
Article
Pediatrics
Maren Mynarek, Solveig Bjellmo, Stian Lydersen, Jan E. Afset, Guro L. Andersen, Torstein Vik
Summary: Invasive Group B Streptococcus infection in infants in Norway is relatively low, but the risk of death and cerebral palsy remains high, emphasizing the need for improvements in prevention strategies.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Madeline S. S. Akbari, Rebecca A. A. Keogh, Jana N. N. Radin, Yamil Sanchez-Rosario, Michael D. L. Johnson, Alexander R. R. Horswill, Thomas E. E. Kehl-Fie, Lindsey R. R. Burcham, Kelly S. S. Doran
Summary: The presence of metal ions such as zinc and nickel in diabetic wound infections plays a crucial role in the survival and spread of pathogenic bacteria GBS. Therefore, characterizing host immunity is of great significance in enhancing defense against GBS infection.
Review
Pediatrics
Barbara C. F. Ramos, Carolina S. Aranda, Rita S. B. Cardona, Ana Maria Martins, Dirceu Sole, Sue Ann C. Clemens, Ralf Clemens
Summary: The objective of this study is to provide recommendations on immunizations for people living with Inborn Error of Metabolism (IEM) in Brazil. The literature review assesses the possible impact on metabolic decompensations after immunization and examines whether this population may have an impaired immune response to vaccines. A total of 44 articles were reviewed, and the findings suggest that individuals with IEMs should receive age-appropriate immunizations without delays. However, monitoring antibody levels and considering a personalized immunization schedule are recommended.
JORNAL DE PEDIATRIA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zourab Bebia, Osvaldo Reyes, Robert Jeanfreau, Anu Kantele, Ruth Graciela De Leon, Marta Garcia Sanchez, Peyman Banooni, Glenn J. Gardener, Jose Luis Bartha Rasero, Maria Begona Encinas Pardilla, Joanne M. Langley, Claudio Maanon Di Leo, Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers, Jim Buttery, Helene Laurichesse, Shabir A. Madhi, Adrian Martin Garcia, Thorsten Stanley, Tiphaine Barjat, Rebecca Griffith, Maria Mercedes Castrejon-Alba, Magali de Heusch, Ilse Dieussaert, Melanie Hercor, Patricia Lese, Hui Qian, Antonella N. Tullio, Ouzama Henry
Summary: Maternal vaccination with RSVPreF3 during late pregnancy has an acceptable safety risk profile and induces robust RSV-specific immune responses with successful antibody transfer to newborns.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yvette N. N. Lowensteyn, Joukje E. E. Willemsen, Natalie I. I. Mazur, Nienke M. M. Scheltema, Nynke C. J. van Haastregt, Amber A. A. ten Buuren, Ichelle van Roessel, Dunja Scheepmaker, Harish Nair, Peter M. M. van de Ven, Louis J. J. Bont
Summary: This study provides the first global case series of children dying with nosocomial RSV infection. Infant-targeted immunization strategies in the future could prevent the majority of nosocomial RSV-related deaths. Although nosocomial RSV deaths are expected to occur at highest rates in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), the reported number of these deaths was low in these countries. Hospital-based surveillance is needed to capture the full burden of nosocomial RSV mortality in LMICs.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
William J. Muller, Shabir A. Madhi, Beatriz Seoane Nunez, Manuel Baca Cots, Miroslava Bosheva, Ron Dagan, Laura L. Hammitt, Conrado J. Llapur, Jose M. Novoa, Xavier Saez Llorens, Amy Grenham, Elizabeth J. Kelly, Vaishali S. Mankad, Manish Shroff, Therese Takas, Amanda Leach, Tonya Villafana
Summary: Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody, effectively prevents hospitalization and severe lower respiratory tract infection in term and late-preterm infants caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Francesca Mae T. Pantig, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, Ralf Clemens, Cecilia C. C. Maramba-Lazarte, Mary Antonette C. Madrid
Summary: This study determined the incidence and described the profile of Filipino children with SARS-CoV-2 and dengue coinfection, and compared disease severity and outcome in children with coinfection to a matched group of children with SARS-CoV-2 monoinfection. The results showed that there was no difference in disease severity and outcome between coinfection and monoinfection.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Okubalidet Kiflemariam Manna, Ralf Clemens, Sue Ann Costa Clemens
Summary: This study investigates the reasons why Africa has the lowest COVID-19 mortality and morbidity rate. The results suggest that the younger African population and underreporting of COVID-19 cases contribute to the low rates in Africa.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Virology
Shabir A. A. Madhi, Gaurav Kwatra, Jonathan E. E. Myers, Waasila Jassat, Nisha Dhar, Christian K. K. Mukendi, Lucille Blumberg, Richard Welch, Alane Izu, Portia C. C. Mutevedzi
Summary: We conducted an epidemiological survey in South Africa to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and analyzed epidemiologic trends in Gauteng Province. Despite low COVID-19 vaccination coverage, the overall seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 was high, indicating a high infection rate during the BA.1-dominant wave. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality was significantly lower during the BA.1-dominant wave compared to the pre-BA.1 waves for recorded deaths and estimated excess mortality.
Review
Immunology
Shanti Pather, Shabir A. Madhi, Benjamin J. Cowling, Paul Moss, Jeremy P. Kamil, Sandra Ciesek, Alexander Muik, Oezlem Tuereci
Summary: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, first detected in late 2021, has caused waves of infections with different sub-lineages becoming dominant over time. It generally causes milder disease compared to earlier variants, but has overwhelmed healthcare systems in countries with low population immunity. Pediatric admissions during Omicron waves have been higher than previous waves. Omicron sub-lineages partially escape vaccine-elicited antibodies, highlighting the need for variant-adapted vaccines to improve protection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Bent Steenberg, Andile Sokani, Nellie Myburgh, Portia Mutevedzi, Shabir A. Madhi
Summary: COVID-19 vaccination programs have been rolled out globally, but the uptake in South Africa has been low. Misinformation and doubts fueled by jumbled mediatization have contributed to vaccine hesitancy and resistance. Factors specific to the South African context, such as racialization and historical roots in colonization and racism, further exacerbate uncertainty and fear. Cultural and spiritual practices endemic to the townships also contribute to vaccine resistance.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Yauba Saidu, Jessica Gu, Budzi Michael Ngenge, Sangwe Clovis Nchinjoh, Amani Adidja, Nadege Edwidge Nnang, Nkwain Jude Muteh, Vouking Marius Zambou, Clarence Mbanga, Valirie Ndip Agbor, Diaby Ousmane, Andreas Ateke Njoh, Junie Flegere, Demba Diack, Owens Wiwa, Emmanuele Montomoli, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, Ralf Clemens
Summary: This study reveals the challenges in data management practices among immunization staff in Cameroon, including the lack of data recording tools and incomplete data collection. These issues adversely affect the quality of immunization data in Cameroon and emphasize the urgent need for improvements in data management capacity and processes.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
S. A. Madhi, A. S. Anderson, J. Absalon, D. Radley, R. Simon, B. Jongihlati, R. Strehlau, A. M. van Niekerk, A. Izu, N. Naidoo, G. Kwatra, Y. Ramsamy, M. Said, S. Jones, L. Jose, L. Fairlie, S. L. Barnabas, R. Newton, S. Munson, Z. Jefferies, D. Pavliakova, N. C. Silmon de Monerri, E. Gomme, J. L. Perez, D. A. Scott, W. C. Gruber, K. U. Jansen
Summary: This study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a hexavalent vaccine in pregnant women and found that it reduced the risk of group B streptococcal disease in newborns. The study also identified specific antibody concentrations associated with a reduced risk of disease.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vicky L. Baillie, Shabir A. Madhi, Vida Ahyong, Courtney P. Olwagen
Summary: In this study, metagenomic sequencing was used to identify pathogens associated with neonatal deaths and its results were compared with conventional methods. The study showed that metagenomic sequencing successfully detected pathogens in post-mortem samples and even identified additional pathogens in cases where causative pathogens were not found. This approach could improve patient outcomes and assist in antibiotic stewardship.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lola Madrid, Kartavya J. Vyas, Vijaya Kancherla, Haleluya Leulseged, Parminder S. Suchdev, Quique Bassat, Samba Sow, Shams El Arifeen, ShabirA Madhi, Dickens Onyango, Ikechukwu Ogbuanu, J. Anthony G. Scott, Dianna Blau, Inacio Mandomando, Adama M. Keita, Emily S. Gurley, Sana Mahtab, Victor Akelo, Sulaiman Sannoh, Yenenesh Tilahun, Rosauro Varo, Uma Onwuchekwa, Afruna Rahman, Yasmin Adam, Richard Omore, Sandra Lako, Elisio Xerinda, Kazi Munisul Islam, Amy Wise, Beth A. Tippet-Barr, Erick Kaluma, Sara Ajanovic, Karen L. Kotloff, Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Portia Mutevedzi, Milagritos Tapia, Emily Rogena, Francis Moses, Cynthia G. Whitney, Nega Assefa
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the mortality attributed to neural tube defects in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia. The results showed that neural tube defects were a common cause of stillbirth and neonatal deaths, especially in Ethiopia. Therefore, implementing necessary interventions such as mandatory folic acid fortification could reduce mortality due to neural tube defects.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yauba Saidu, Valirie N. Agbor, Pietro Di Mattei, Sangwe C. Nchinjoh, Nnang N. Edwidge, Andreas A. Njoh, Nkwain J. Muteh, Marta Prescott, Owens Wiwa, Demba Diack, Junie Flegere, Emanuele Montomoli, Sue A. Costa Clemens, Ralf Clemens
Summary: Millions of children, particularly in developing countries, have not received the DTP vaccine, making them zero-dose children (ZDC). Due to unreliable denominators used to calculate vaccination coverage, identifying and prioritising communities for catch-up vaccination is challenging. Incorporating other indicators of access and utilisation of vaccination services can help identify and rank missed communities based on the likelihood of finding ZDC.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Yauba Saidu, Jessica Gu, Budzi Michael Ngenge, Sangwe Clovis Nchinjoh, Amani Adidja, Nadege Edwidge Nnang, Nkwain Jude Muteh, Vouking Marius Zambou, Clarence Mvalo Mbanga, Valirie Ndip Agbor, Diaby Ousmane, Andreas Ateke Njoh, Junie Flegere, Demba Diack, Owens Wiwa, Emanuele Montomoli, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, Ralf Clemens
Summary: This study in Cameroon revealed deficits in immunization knowledge among vaccination staff, as well as concerning practices. The findings emphasize the urgent need to invest in comprehensive capacity building of vaccination staff in order to improve vaccination coverage and equity.
HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH
(2023)