Group B Streptococcal Colonization and Intrapartum Antibiotics: Why a Vaccine is Urgently Needed

Abstract

The importance of global group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization during pregnancy is briefly reviewed in this short article. About 20% all pregnant women worldwide are colonized with this organism necessitating the use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) in order to prevent neonatal GBS disease. In some geographic regions rates of colonization are as high as 35%. Such a high rate of IAP is shown to be concerning because of childhood adverse effects. We briefly summarize 5 main childhood adverse outcomes from IAP which include antibiotic resistance, the development of various atopic diseases, dysbyosis, obesity, and impaired immune function. Finally, the article clearly lists 4 reasons why a GBS vaccine is specifically urgently needed in order to curb the often unnecessary if not dangerous use of IAP to prevent against the onset of neonatal GBS disease. It is hoped that such a vaccine could reduce the rate of IAP from a high of 40% to a low of 10%.