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J Pediatr Infect Dis 2017; 12(03): 164-170
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603657
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neonatal Immune Responses during Group B Streptococcal Infections

Kirtikumar Upadhyay
1   Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
,
Ajay J. Talati
1   Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

17 June 2016

13 August 2016

Publication Date:
07 June 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Group B streptococcus (GBS) still remains an important cause of neonatal sepsis in spite of various preventive strategies. The immune response of a neonate varies from an adult human immune system and makes a newborn more vulnerable to illness not typically manifested by adults. Microbial virulence, bacterial load, and immaturity of immune response system may explain the variation in severity of illness in term and preterm neonates. In this review, the mechanisms of GBS invasion and infection in a neonate are described. We also try to identify the host immune response to various bacterial components of GBS and possible future strategies to mitigate this immune response to improve neonatal outcomes after GBS sepsis.

Keywords

GBS - Host–pathogen - immune response - bacterial components - antibiotics - inflammation
 

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