Group B streptococcus commonly colonizes the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and is the single most common bacterial cause of invasive infection among newborns in the United States. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is currently used to reduce the risk of group B streptococcal disease among pregnant persons and newborns. No strategies are currently available to prevent disease in later infancy or among nonpregnant adults. Vaccines against group B streptococcal disease that consist of capsular polysaccharides linked to protein antigens are in development and may provide a means of prevention for all at-risk populations.
Karen M. Puopolo (Wed,) studied this question.