Group B Streptococcus bacteremia elicits β C protein-specific IgM and IgG in humans

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) β C protein elicits protective antibodies in experimental animals, making β C protein an attractive component of a human GBS glycoconjugate vaccine. We determined whether natural exposure to β C protein elicits antibodies in humans. Geometric mean concentrations (in micrograms per milliliter) of β 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 β 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 β C-specific IgM and IgG. © 2006 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.