| Title: |
Impact of HIV Status on Group B Streptococcus Colonization and Antibody Responses in Serum and Vaginal Mucosa |
| Authors: |
Daniel, Olwenn; Nalwoga, Joannah; Kyohere, Mary; Nsimire Sendagala, Juliet; Imede, Esther; Beach, Simon; Barro, Camille; Tharmarasa, Thushani; Hall, Tom; Cochet, Madeleine; Tregoning, John; Le Doare, Kirsty |
| Source: |
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal ; volume 44, issue 2S, page S46-S48 ; ISSN 0891-3668 1532-0987 |
| Publisher Information: |
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Description: |
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. Methods: In Uganda, 90 nonpregnant women of childbearing age were followed for 3 months. Every 2 weeks, rectal and vaginal swabs were tested for GBS, and vaginal cups and blood were collected for measurement of GBS capsular polysaccharides (CPS) IgG using standardized assays. Results: Twenty-six of 90 women were living with HIV. Almost 51/90 women were GBS colonized at 1 or several visits. GBS colonization fluctuated in the rectal and vaginal sites. Most prevalent serotypes were Ia and III, with 33 individuals carrying different serotypes over time. Serum and vaginal CPS-IgG levels were stable over 12 weeks. In serum, for serotypes Ib–V, the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of CPS-IgG did not differ between HIV+ and HIV− participants. However, the GMC for serum CPS-Ia-IgG in the HIV+ group was 2.5 times lower than in the HIV− group ( P = 0.038). Vaginal CPS-IgG was measurable in 5/26 (19%) HIV+ participants, and 32/64 (50%) HIV− participants. Conclusions: Despite fluctuating GBS colonization, antibody levels remained stable over 12 weeks. The level of CPS-Ia-specific IgG in serum was lower in women with HIV than in those without HIV. Vaginal CPS-specific IgG was not measurable in 81% of individuals with HIV. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1097/inf.0000000000004659 |
| DOI: |
10.1097/INF.0000000000004659 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1097/inf.0000000000004659; https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/INF.0000000000004659 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.C2A09255 |
| Database: |
BASE |