Group B Streptococcus bacteremia elicits beta C protein-specific IgMand IgG in humans

J Infect Dis. 2007 Feb 1;195(3):353-6. doi: 10.1086/510627. Epub 2006 Dec 21.

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) beta C protein elicits protective antibodies in experimental animals, making beta C protein an attractive component of a human GBS glycoconjugate vaccine. We determined whether natural exposure to beta C protein elicits antibodies in humans. Geometric mean concentrations (in micrograms per milliliter) of beta C-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were similar in serum from 16 colonized (0.82 and 0.76, respectively) and 48 age-matched noncolonized (0.96 and 0.74, respectively) pregnant women. Serum from 3 women with beta C GBS bacteremia had significantly higher levels of IgM (6.0) and IgG (52.9) (P=.01 and 0.01, respectively). Invasive disease but not colonization elicits beta C-specific IgM and IgG.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Bacteremia / blood*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / blood*
  • Streptococcal Infections / blood*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • beta protein, Streptococcus