GBS sequencing project from pregnant women in Osaka

Study goals and relevance The goal of this study is to comprehensively characterize the molecular epidemiology of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonizing pregnant women at a general hospital in Osaka, Japan, using whole-genome sequencing to define serotypes, clonal complexes, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance profiles. Establishing this high-resolution baseline is highly relevant for anticipating the impact of forthcoming maternal GBS vaccines and for detecting potential shifts in circulating lineages, including hypervirulent or emerging clones such as CC17 and CC452. These findings provide essential evidence to guide future prevention strategies for neonatal GBS disease in Japan.