Impact of intrapartum antibiotics on the care and evaluation of the neonate

Sharon Balter, Elizabeth R. Zell, Katherine L. O'brien, Aaron Roome, Heather Noga, Meena Thayu, Anne Schuchat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Numerousstudies evaluating the efficacy of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines are being conducted or planned throughout the world. Some of these studies are evaluating the effect of vaccine on nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage. Methods. The World Health Organization established a Working Group comprised of representatives from these trials and other NP colonization experts to establish core, standardized methods for the study of pneumococcal NP colonization that could be used in these trials. The intent was to reduce or eliminate variability in key methods which themselves could contribute to variability of observed pneumococcal NP colonization. In this way variability of vaccine effects between trials on NP colonization could more easily be analyzed for population or vaccine differences without the confounding effect caused by differences in study methodology. Results. This paper presents the evidence base supporting the need for standardized NP colonization study methods, the methods themselves (Core Consensus Methods), including collection techniques, culture media, equipment, serotyping, storage of specimens and transport of isolates agreed on by the Working Group as well as a discussion of research priorities. Conclusions. The Core Consensus Methods provide a common methodology to conduct pneumococcal NP colonization studies with minimum interstudy method variability. The intention is to allow more meaningful comparisons of study results from conjugate pneumococcal vaccine trials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)853-857
Number of pages5
JournalPediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Volume22
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2003

Keywords

  • Group BStreptococcus
  • Intrapartum antibiotics
  • Neonatal management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Impact of intrapartum antibiotics on the care and evaluation of the neonate'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this