Most importantly, mortality associated with these patients is frequently higher than for newborns [3, 8]. These data draw attention to the need for prevention strategies against GBS infections among learn more adults. Penicillin has been established as a first-line antimicrobial for the prophylaxis and treatment of GBS infections. Moreover, clindamycin and erythromycin have been used as alternatives in penicillin-allergic individuals. However, resistance to these antimicrobials among GBS isolated from pregnant and non-pregnant individuals has been described in several countries [3, 9–15], raising concerns about their use in the treatment of GBS infections. Resistance to penicillin

is frequently associated with mutation of penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) 2X and 2B [14]. Overall, the mechanisms that confer resistance to erythromycin include the post-transcriptional methylation of the adenine residues of 23S ribosomal RNA mediated by erm genes and efflux of the antibiotic mediated by a membrane-bound protein encoded by mef genes. The expression of erm genes results in the MLSB phenotype, responsible for generating cross-resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and

streptogramin B [16]. On the other click here hand, phenotype M, encoded by mef genes, confers resistance only to 14- and 15-membered ring LBH589 macrolides (erythromycin and azithromycin) [17]. According to the immunologic reactivity of sialic acid-rich capsular polysaccharide, GBS are divided into ten serotypes, Ia, Ib, II-VIII [18] and IX [19]. Different surveys all over the world have shown the prevalence of serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III and V as major streptococcal disease-causing Gefitinib purchase agents [3, 7–9, 20, 21]. The diverse array of clinical manifestations caused by GBS reflects an efficient adaptability of bacteria to different host environments. GBS may express virulence

factors, allowing the colonization and invasion of epithelial barriers, leading to resistance to immune clearance and persistence in host tissues, which contribute to the pathogenesis of infection. Besides defining GBS serotypes, the cell wall-anchored polysaccharide capsule has been recognized as important virulence factor of this bacterium. It prevents the deposition of alternative complement pathway factor C3b on the bacterial surface, resulting in decreased phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils [22]. In the last decade, a pilus-like structure was identified in GBS [23] and shown to play an important role in the adhesion to and invasion of host cells [24], biofilm formation [25] and resistance to phagocyte killing [26]. Extracellular β-hemolysin/cytolysin (β-H/C) is a pore-forming toxin encoded by the chromosomal cylE gene [27], which is toxic to a broad range of eukaryotic cells, resulting in cell invasion [28] and evasion of phagocytosis [29].