Impact of HIV Status on Group B Streptococcus Colonization and Antibody Responses in Serum and Vaginal Mucosa.

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a commensal bacterium of the digestive and genital tracts that can occasionally cause maternal and neonatal disease. GBS is particularly a burden in low-resource settings, where infections with HIV are also highly prevalent. This study investigates the impact of HIV status on GBS colonization and antibody levels.

Maternal and Placental Antibody Responses in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Natural Infection During Pregnancy.

Background: As COVID-19 becomes endemic, understanding antibody response and transfer during pregnancy is crucial to inform policy and vaccination schedules. While good immunogenicity has been shown from SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, few data are available demonstrating functional responses in pregnant populations and infants.

Methods: A prospective, multi-site observational study was completed across 14 centers in England from April 23, 2020, to December 21, 2022.

Simultaneous carriage of multiple serotypes of Group B Streptococcus: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Epidemiological studies evaluating the distribution of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotypes are crucial for serotype-specific vaccine development and post-licensure surveillance. However, there is a paucity of data about the prevalence of simultaneous carriage of multiple serotypes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of three databases (Medline, Embase, PubMed) to identify studies reporting GBS serotype co-carriage at the same anatomical site (multiple serotypes in one sample) or different anatomical sites (paired samples from one individual with different serotypes).