Current Status of Vaccine Development for Group B Streptococcus

The incidence of neonatal early-onset sepsis due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) has decreased with the use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, but GBS infection remains a significant clinical concern. Early-onset disease still occurs among term infants born to women falsely screened GBS-negative, and premature infants still disproportionately suffer from both early-onset and late-onset GBS infection. In addition, there is no current strategy for preventing GBS disease among elderly and immunocompromised, nonpregnant adults. The development of GBS vaccines with efficacy across serotypes may address many of the clinical gaps left by GBS intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. Multiple preclinical and human phase I studies have been completed demonstrating the safety and immunogenicity of candidate glycoconjugate GBS vaccines. Phase III vaccine trials are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of maternal and nonpregnant adult vaccination.