Molecular evidence that GBS early neonatal sepsis results from ascending infection: Comparative hybrid genomics analyses show that microorganisms in the vaginal ecosystem, amniotic fluid, chorioamniotic membranes, and neonatal blood are the same
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Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
03005577
eISSN
16193997
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85207354251
Pubmed ID
39405032
Journal Title
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Perinatal Medicine (2024)
Suggested Citation
Pongchaikul P., Romero R., Wongsurawat T., Jenjaroenpun P., Kruasuwan W., Mongkolsuk P., Vivithanaporn P., Thaipisuttikul I., Singsaneh A., Khamphakul J., Santanirand P., Kotchompoo K., Bhuwapathanapun M., Warintaksa P., Chaemsaithong P. Molecular evidence that GBS early neonatal sepsis results from ascending infection: Comparative hybrid genomics analyses show that microorganisms in the vaginal ecosystem, amniotic fluid, chorioamniotic membranes, and neonatal blood are the same. Journal of Perinatal Medicine (2024). doi:10.1515/jpm-2024-0310 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/101874
Title
Molecular evidence that GBS early neonatal sepsis results from ascending infection: Comparative hybrid genomics analyses show that microorganisms in the vaginal ecosystem, amniotic fluid, chorioamniotic membranes, and neonatal blood are the same
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae, or Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis. Materno-fetal transmission of the microorganisms present in the lower genital tract/perineum is considered to be the most frequent mode for acquisition of infection. It has also been proposed that, in a subset of cases, GBS causes acute chorioamnionitis, intraamniotic infection, and fetal/neonatal sepsis. However, the evidence to support this ascending pathway is derived from microbiologic studies that rely on cultivation methods, which do not have the resolution to determine if the microorganisms causing neonatal sepsis are the same as those found in the amniotic fluid and the vaginal ecosystem. We used whole genome sequencing of the microorganisms isolated from the vagina, amniotic fluid, chorioamniotic membranes, and neonatal blood (four isolates) in a case of early neonatal sepsis. Using hybrid genome assembly, we characterized the genomic features including virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance in four isolates from the same mother, placenta, and newborn. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the microorganisms in the four clinical isolates corresponded to S. agalactiae sequence type 1, clonal complexes 1, and serotype Ib. Comparative genomic analysis illustrated similar DNA sequences of the four genomes. This study presents the first evidence of the genomic similarity of microorganisms in the vaginal ecosystem, the space between the chorioamniotic membranes of the placenta, amniotic fluid, and neonatal blood.