Group B Streptococcal Serine-Rich Repeat Proteins Promote Interaction With Fibrinogen and Vaginal Colonization

Group B streptococcal serine-rich repeat proteins promote interaction with fibrinogen and vaginal colonization.

Group B streptococcus (GBS) can cause severe disease in susceptible hosts, including newborns, pregnant women, and the elderly. GBS serine-rich repeat (Srr) surface glycoproteins are important adhesins/invasins in multiple host tissues, including the vagina. However, exact molecular mechanisms contributing to their importance in colonization are unknown. We have recently determined that Srr pro...

Serine-rich repeat proteins and pili promote Streptococcus agalactiae colonization of the vaginal tract.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus [GBS]) is a Gram-positive bacterium found in the female rectovaginal tract and is capable of producing severe disease in susceptible hosts, including newborns and pregnant women. The vaginal tract is considered a major reservoir for GBS, and maternal vaginal colonization poses a significant risk to the newborn; however, little is known about the s...

Serine Rich Repeat Proteins and Pili Promote Streptococcus

The group B streptococcal serine-rich repeat 1 glycoprotein mediates penetration of the blood-brain barrier.

BACKGROUND Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in newborn infants. Because GBS is able to invade, survive, and cross the blood-brain barrier, we sought to identify surface-expressed virulence factors that contribute to blood-brain barrier penetration and the pathogenesis of meningitis. METHODS Targeted deletion and insertional mutants were generated in dif...

Comparison of two antigen assays for rapid intrapartum detection of vaginal group B streptococcal colonization.

As part of a clinical investigation evaluating the efficacy of intrapartum antigen detection for screening for heavy vaginal colonization with group B streptococci (GBS), we compared the performance of modified Bactigen and Directigen GBS latex particle agglutination (LPA) kits. Paired vaginal swabs obtained from women in labor were rapidly transported to the laboratory and used for culturing (...