Transmission probabilities and durations of immunity for three pathogenic group B Streptococcus serotypes

Bethany Percha, M. E.J. Newman, Betsy Foxman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains a major cause of neonatal sepsis and is an emerging cause of invasive bacterial infections. The 9 known serotypes vary in virulence, and there is little cross-immunity. Key parameters for planning an effective vaccination strategy, such as average length of immunity and transmission probabilities by serotype, are unknown. We simulated GBS spread in a population using a computational model with parameters derived from studies of GBS sexual transmission in a college dormitory. Here we provide estimates of the duration of immunity relative to the transmission probabilities for the 3 GBS serotypes most associated with invasive disease: Ia, III, and V. We also place upper limits on the durations of immunity for serotype Ia (570 days), III (1125 days) and V (260 days). Better transmission estimates are required to establish the epidemiological parameters of GBS infection and determine the best vaccination strategies to prevent GBS disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1407-1412
Number of pages6
JournalInfection, Genetics and Evolution
Volume11
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Group B Streptococcus
  • Modeling
  • Streptococcus agalactiae
  • Vaccines

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