Genetic markers associated with host status and clonal expansion of Group B Streptococcus in the Netherlands

Objectives: Certain Group B Streptococcus (GBS) genotypes are associated with invasive disease in neonates. We conducted a comparative genomic analysis of GBS isolates from neonatal disease and maternal carriage in the Netherlands to determine distribution of genetic markers between the two host groups. Methods: Whole genome sequencing was used to characterise 685 neonatal invasive isolates (2006–2021) and 733 maternal carriage isolates (2017–2021) collected in the Netherlands. Results: Clonal complex (CC) 17 and serotype III were significantly more common in disease while carriage isolates we... Mehr ...