Treatment for GBS Colonization in Pregnant WomenGroup B streptococci is recognized as the most common cause of neonatal meningitis and sepsis in the United States. Two epidemiologically distinct clinical syndromes occur with GBS disease: early-onset (among neonates), and late-onset (among young infants). Early-onset disease usually occurs in utero as the organisms are acquired by the child from the mother. Although 70% of the infants survive infection with GBS, permanent neurologic sequelae, such as mental retardation, learning disabilities, hearing loss, and speech impediments occur in 30-50% of survivors, resulting in incalculable human suffering and economic costs to the individual family as well as local and state support facilities. Current strategies for the treatment and prevention of GBS colonization of pregnant women and neonatal disease have proven to be unsatisfactory. We propose the use of B-streptocide to kill GBS present in the birth canal of pregnant women. B-streptocide is a topical microbicide that is rapidly biocidal against fungi, viruses, and bacteria. This biocide could be administered as a single treatment just prior to delivery of the newborn. B-streptocide is completely innocuous to humans. The application of B-streptocide is economically feasible for treatment of all mothers before delivery, eliminating the need for screening.
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