Short summary

Group B streptococci (GBS) are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract. GBS is a well-known cause of meningitis and sepsis in newborn. In recent years an increasing incidence of GBS infections has been observed among the elderly, primarily bacteraemia and meningitis, in the industrialised world, particularly in people with high BMIs or chronic diseases such as diabetes. There is a need to investigate risk factors for serious GBS infection in the elderly Danish population above 55 years.

Rationale

The project will increase knowledge about serious GBS infection and which factors increase the risk of infection. In addition, the project is expected to describe genetic factors that can explain the virulence and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic microorganisms and thus identify the most suitable genes or proteins for a more targeted diagnosis of invasive bacteria. These studies will be able to support the ongoing development of a GBS vaccine that could protect against invasive infection in both newborns and the elderly. This study aims to investigate risk factors for serious infection with the bacterium Group B streptococcus 1) To describe GBS infections on the basis of positive microbiological findings and diagnosis codes for infection (ICD-10 codes), indicating how many with an infection diagnosis code have a positive microbiological finding. 2) To identify risk factors for GBS infection in different age groups (e.g. high BMI, asthma, COPD).

Description of the cohort

A national study of patients older than 55 years with an invasive GBS infection between 2000 and 2023.

Data and biological material

Blood samples, register data (diagnosis, demographic etc) from the national registries

Collaborating researchers and departments

Children and Adolescents, Aarhus University Hospital

• Professor Tine Brink Henriksen