Preterm infants have deficient monocyte and lymphocyte cytokine responses to group B streptococcus

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of early- and late-onset sepsis in the newborn. Preterm infants have markedly increased susceptibility...

Authors:
Currie,A.J., S. Curtis, T. Strunk, K. Riley, K. Liyanage, S. Prescott, D. Doherty, K. Simmer, P.Richmond, D. Burgner

Authors notes:
Infection & Immunity 2011 Apr;79(4):1588-96. Epub 2011 Feb 7

Keywords:
Preterm infants, deficient monocyte, lymphocyte cytokine responses, group B streptococcus,

Abstract:
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of early- and late-onset sepsis in the newborn. Preterm infants have markedly increased susceptibility and worse outcomes, but their immunological responses to GBS are poorly defined. We compared mononuclear cell and whole-blood cytokine responses to heat-killed GBS (HKGBS) of preterm infants (gestational age [GA], 26 to 33 weeks), term infants, and healthy adults.