Evaluation of Group B Streptococcus proteins as potential maternal vaccine candidates.. Surface protein distribution in Group B Streptococcus isolates from South Africa and identifying vaccine targets through in silico analysis

This study focuses on the research and development of a protein-based maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine by exploring the potential of conserved GBS surface proteins identified at WITS-VIDA and Boston Childrens’ Hospital (BCH) as potential vaccine antigen targets. The objective is to evaluate the prevalence and expression of surface proteins on South African Infant invasive and maternal colonization GBS clinical isolates. To fulfil the aims and objectives of this study, in silico analysis and flow cytometry were first performed to determine the prevalence of these GBS surface proteins in a South African population and to assess the surface expression of selected GBS proteins. This subsequently allowed for the deciphering of the conservation of these proteins across the various disease-causing GBS serotypes circulating in South African mother and child cohorts. Through bioinformatic analyses, two prevalent and conserved GBS surface proteins (gbs2106 and SIP) have been identified in the South African cohorts. These proteins also exhibit suitable vaccine antigen characteristics, indicating their potential for vaccine development.