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Article

Changes in the Incidence and Epidemiology of Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease over the Last Two Decades in Crete, Greece

1
Department or Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
2
Department of Neonatology, Heraklion University Hospital, Greece
3
Department of Neonatology, Venizeleion General Hospital, Greece
4
Department of Neonatology, General Hospital of Chania, Greece
5
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Heraklion University Hospital, Crete, Greece
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2018, 10(3), 7744; https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2018.7744
Submission received: 12 May 2018 / Revised: 5 June 2018 / Accepted: 28 June 2018 / Published: 5 December 2018

Abstract

Group B streptococcus (GBS) remains a leading cause of neonatal disease. However, GBS rates and prevention strategies vary considerably worldwide. Herein, we investigated the burden and epidemiological trends of neonatal GBS infections in our area (Greece) over the last two decades. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study that includes all cases of culture-proven GBS disease in infants <90 days old in the last 22 years. Neonatal GBS incidence was 0.17/1000 live births (95%CI: 0.11-0.21). A significant increase was noted during the second decade (0.23 vs 0.10/1000, P<0.05). Late onset disease (LOD) significantly increased during the second decade (0.08 vs 0.02, P<0.05). Infants in the LOD group had a higher risk of meningitis (RR 1.8, 95%CI: 1.23-2.71). Long-term neurological sequelae were reported in 42.8% of meningitis cases. The mortality rate was 8%. The incidence of neonatal GBS disease in our area is among the lowest reported, but an increase was noted the last decade mainly due a rise in the LOD. The burden of LOD, the mortality and long-term disability are still substantial, thus effective prevention strategies − including maternal vaccination for neonatal GBS − are needed.
Keywords: neonatal infections; Group B streptococcus; incidence; late onset; early onset; intrapartum prophylaxis neonatal infections; Group B streptococcus; incidence; late onset; early onset; intrapartum prophylaxis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Vergadi, E.; Manoura, A.; Chatzakis, E.; Karavitakis, E.; Maraki, S.; Galanakis, E. Changes in the Incidence and Epidemiology of Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease over the Last Two Decades in Crete, Greece. Infect. Dis. Rep. 2018, 10, 7744. https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2018.7744

AMA Style

Vergadi E, Manoura A, Chatzakis E, Karavitakis E, Maraki S, Galanakis E. Changes in the Incidence and Epidemiology of Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease over the Last Two Decades in Crete, Greece. Infectious Disease Reports. 2018; 10(3):7744. https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2018.7744

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vergadi, Eleni, Antonia Manoura, Emmanouil Chatzakis, Emmanouil Karavitakis, Sofia Maraki, and Emmanouil Galanakis. 2018. "Changes in the Incidence and Epidemiology of Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease over the Last Two Decades in Crete, Greece" Infectious Disease Reports 10, no. 3: 7744. https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2018.7744

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