Population genomics of Group B Streptococcus reveals the genetics of neonatal disease onset and meningeal invasion



Chaguza, Chrispin ORCID: 0000-0002-2108-1757, Jamrozy, Dorota, Bijlsma, Merijn W, Kuijpers, Taco W, van de Beek, Diederik, van der Ende, Arie and Bentley, Stephen D
(2022) Population genomics of Group B Streptococcus reveals the genetics of neonatal disease onset and meningeal invasion. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 13 (1). 4215-.

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Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, is a pathogen that causes preterm births, stillbirths, and acute invasive neonatal disease burden and mortality. Here, we investigate bacterial genetic signatures associated with disease onset time and meningeal tissue infection in acute invasive neonatal GBS disease. We carry out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 1,338 GBS isolates from newborns with acute invasive disease; the isolates had been collected annually, for 30 years, through a national bacterial surveillance program in the Netherlands. After controlling for the population structure, we identify genetic variation within noncoding and coding regions, particularly the capsule biosynthesis locus, statistically associated with neonatal GBS disease onset time and meningeal invasion. Our findings highlight the impact of integrating microbial population genomics and clinical pathogen surveillance, and demonstrate the effect of GBS genetics on disease pathogenesis in neonates and infants.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcal Infections, Infant, Newborn, Diseases, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Genome-Wide Association Study, Metagenomics
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 14 Oct 2022 08:28
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 20:36
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31858-4
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31858-4
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3165449