Identification of Group B Streptococcus Capsule Type by Use of a Dual Phenotypic/Genotypic Assay

摘要

Group B streptococci (GBS) are recognized as a leading cause of neonatal invasive disease, as well as invasive disease, in immunocompromised patients and in elderly individuals (1–7). An important virulence factor of GBS is a capsular polysaccharide (CPS); there are ten antigenic CPS variants designated Ia, Ib, and II to IX (8–11). In North America and a number of European countries, five CPS types (Ia, Ib, II, III, and V) cause the bulk of invasive disease cases, with CPS III causing a higher rate of disease among neonates and CPS types Ia and V causing higher rates among adult patients (12–23). Interestingly, recent studies have noted the emergence and circulation of CPS IV, a previously uncommon serotype, as an important cause of both neonatal and adult infections (14, 19, 24–28).