Streptococcus pneumoniae and other Streptococci

Streptococcus pneumoniae and other Streptococci

Introduction

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the commonest bacterial pathogen causing pneumonia, bacteraemia and meningitis worldwide. The initial focus was on antimicrobial resistance and clinical epidemiology of pneumococcal diseases in Hong Kong. However, with the introduction and incorporation of new vaccines into local immunization programmes, there is a need for surveillance of such infections, new methodologies for identification, molecular characterization and detection of prevalent serotypes, and understanding the mechanisms of development and spread of resistance determinants. The CUHK Department of Microbiology has a strong research interest in this and other related streptococci. The research group was established in 1999 and has evolved into a multidisciplinary research team involving paediatricians, respiratory physicians, epidemiologists, primary care specialists and bioinformaticians.

Theme Leader
Prof. Margaret Ip
Members:
Ms. Coral Lee
Dr. Carmen Li
Dr Nilakshi Barua
Ms Kaiyan Yeong
Ongoing research topics:
Surveillance of pneumococcal diseases in children and adults in Hong Kong.
Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance of S. pneumoniae.
Co-infections of S. pneumoniae in respiratory diseases.
Virulence determinants of Group B streptococcus causing septicaemia and meningitis.
Clinical and molecular epidemiology of Group B streptococcus in neonatal diseases, in pregnant and non-pregnant adults.
Recent Publications

  1. Rivera L, Sáez-Llorens X, Feris-Iglesias J, Ip M, Saha S, Adrian PV, Madhi SA, Boudville I, Cunnington M, Kyaw MH, Casellas, JM, Slobod KS. Incidence and serotype distribution of invasive group B streptococcal disease in young infants: a multi-country observational study. Ped Infect Dis J 2013 (submitted).
  2. Yeung SW, Cheung PT, Chau SL, Ip M, Lao TTH, Leung T, Tam WH. Evaluation of an in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction method to identify group B streptococcus colonization in pregnant mothers. Eur J Obs & Gyn and Reprod Biol 2013 (Submitted)
  3. Ip M*, Lam HS, Tam WH, Fung K, Chau SSL, Wong KC, Chan CW, Nelson EAS. A prospective observational study on the burden of invasive neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease in Hong Kong: Incidence, Serotypes, and Outcome. Hong Kong Med J ( 2013, submitted)
  4. Ip M*, Chau SSL, Lui LS, Ma H, Chan PKS, Nelson EAS.. Increased nasopharyngeal carriage of serotypes 6A, 6C, and 6D Streptococcus pneumoniae after introduction of childhood pneumococcal vaccination in Hong Kong, 2008-2010. Diagn Micro Infect Dis 2013 (in press)
  5. Hon KL, Ip M, Chu WC, Wong W. Megapneumonia Coinfection: pneumococcus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Metapneumovirus. Case Report Med. 2012:310104. doi:  0.1155/2012/310104. Epub 2012 Oct 17.
  6. Hon KL, Ip M, Chu WCW. Pneumococcus – ‘Die Hard’. Hong Kong Med J 2012; 18:348.e1-2.
  7. Cheng FWT, Ip M, Chu YYL, Lin Z, Lee V, Shing MK, Leung WK, Yuen PMP, Li CK. Humoral Response of Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccine in Paediatric Oncology Patients. Arch Dis Child, 2012;97:358-360.  Doi:10.1136/adc.2010.198416. Epub 2010, Nov 25.
  8. Hon KL, Ip M, Lee K, Nelson EAS, Eric EKH, Yuen TYS, Leung TF. Childhood pneumococcal diseases and serotypes: Can vaccines protect? Indian J Pediatrics 2010;77:1387-91. Epub 2010 Sep 16.
  9. Tsui MHY, Ip M, Ng PC, Lau TK, Leung TN. Change in Prevalence of Group B Streptococcus Maternal colonisation in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J, 2009;15:C1-C6.
  10. Feldman C, S. Alanee, VL Yu, GA Richards, A Ortqvist, J Rello, CCC Chiou, MBF Chedid, MM Wagener, KP Klugman and the International Pneumococcal Study Group. Severity of illness scoring systems in patients with bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia: implications for the intensive care unit care. Clin Microbiol Infect2009;15:850-857.
  11. You JHS, Wong WCW, Ip M, Lee NLS, Ho SC. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination for Hong Kong Elderly in Long-term Care Facilities. J Epid Comm Health 2009; 63:906-11.
  12. Chi F, Nolte O, Ip M, Bergmann C, Hakenbeck R . Crossing the barrier: evolution and spread of a major class of mosaic pbp2x in S. pneumoniae, S. mitis and S. oralis. Int J Med Microbiol 2007; 297:503-512.
  13. Ip M*, Chau SSC, Chi F, Tang J, Chan PK. Fluoroquinolone Resistance in ‘Atypical’ Pneumococci and oral streptococci: Evidence of Horizontal Gene Transfer of Fluoroquinolone resistance determinants from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007, 51: 2690-2700.
  14. Ip M*, Chau SSC, Chi F, Cheuk ESC, Ma H, Lai RWM, Chan PK. Tracking Longitudinally Fluoroquinolone Resistance and their determinants in Penicillin susceptible and non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae in Hong Kong, 2000-2005. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007; 51: 2192-2194.
  15. Ip M*, Nelson T, Cheuk ESC, Sung R, Li A, Ma H, Chan PKS. Serotype Distribution and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Nasopharyngeal Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Hospitalized Children with Respiratory Illness in Hong Kong.  J Clin Microbiol 2007;45: 1969-1971.
  16. Ip M*. 50 Years Ago in The Journal of Pediatrics. A Comparison of Intramuscular and Oral Benzathine Penicillin G in the Treatment of Streptococcal Infections in Children. Breese et al. J Pediatr 1957; 51: 157-63. J of Pediatrics 2007; July;p92.
  17. Alanee SRJ, McGee L, Jackson D, Chiou CC, Feldman C, Morris, AJ, Ortqvist A, Rello J, Luna CM, Baddour LM, Ip M, Yu VL and Klugman KP for the International Pneumococcal Study Group. Association of Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae with Disease Severity and Outcome in Adults: An International Study. Clin Infect Dis 2007, 45:46-51.
  18. Ko FWS, Ip M, Chan PKS, Fok JPC, Chan MCH, Ngai JC, To DW, Chan DPS, Hui DSC. A one-year prospective study of the infectious etiology in patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chest 2007; 131:44-52.
  19. Man SY, Lee N, Ip M, Antonio GE, Chau SS, Mak P, Graham CA, Zhang M, Lui G, Chan PK, Ahuja AT, Hui DS, Sung JJ, Rainer TH. Prospective comparison of three predictive rules for assessing severity of community acquired pneumonia in Hong Kong. Thorax. 2007, 62:348-353.
  20. Ip M*, Fung LSC, Chi F, Cheuk ESC, Chau SSL, Wong BWH, Lui SL, Hui M, Lai RWM, Chan PKS. Streptococcus suis in Hong Kong. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2007; 57: 15-20.
  21. Man SY, Lee N, Ip M, Antonio GE, Chau SS, Mak P, Graham CA, Zhang M, Lui G, Chan PK, Ahuja AT, Hui DS, Sung JJ, Rainer TH. A new clinical decision rule for predicting the severity of community acquired pneumonia in the Emergency Department. Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2006, 13:248.
  22. Ip M*, Cheuk ESC, Tsui MHY Kong F, Leung DTN, Gilbert GL. Identification of a Streptococcus agalactiae serotype III subtype 4 clone in association with adult invasive disease in Hong Kong. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:4252-4254.
  23. Ip M*, Chi F, Chau SSL, Hui M, Tang J, Chan PKS. Use of the housekeeping genes, gdh (zwf) and gki,in multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to differentiate S. pneumoniae from S. mitis and S. oralis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2006, 56: 321-32.
  24. Ip M*, Chau SSL, Chi F, Qi A, Lai RWM. Rapid Screening of Fluoroquinolone-Resistance Determinants in Streptococcus pneumoniae by PCR-Restriction Fragment and Single-Strand Conformational Polymorphism. J Clin Microbiol, 2006; 44: 970-975.
  25. Ip M*, Chan PKS, Nelson EAS, Li A, Gomersall C. A Hong Kong family with respiratory illness. The Lancet, 2003: 362: 38.
  26. Yu VL, Chiou CC, Feldman C, Ortqvist A, Rello J, Morris AJ, Baddour LM, Luna CM, Snydman DR, Ip M, Ko WC, Chang FY, Klugman KP and the International Pneumococcal Study Group. An international prospective study of pneumococcal bacteraemia: correlation with in vitro resistance, antibiotics administered, and clinical outcome. Clin Infect Dis, 2003; 37: 230-7.
  27. Ip M*, Lyon DJ, Yung RWH, Tsang L, Cheng AFB. Introduction of new clones of penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) into Hong Kong. J Clin Microbiol, 2002; 40: 1522-1525.
  28. Ip M*, Lyon DJ, Leung T, Cheng AFB. Macrolide resistance and distribution of erm and mef genes among beta-haemolytic streptococci in Hong Kong. Eur J Clin Microbiol and Infection, 2002; 21: 238-240.
  29. Ip M*, Lyon DL, Yung RWH, Chan C, Cheng AFB. Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Hong Kong. Antimicrob Agents and Chemother, 2001; 45: 1578-1580.
  30. Ip M*, Lyon DJ, Cheng AF. Patterns of antibiotic resistance, serotype distribution, and patient demographics of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Hong Kong. Chemotherapy; 2001; 47: 110-116.
  31. Wilder-Smith E, Chow KM, Kay R, Ip M, Tee N. Group B Streptococcal meningitis in adults:  Recent increase in Southeast Asia. Aust NZ J Med; 2000; 30: 462-465.
  32. Ip M*, Lyon DJ, Yung RWH, Chan C, Cheng AFB. Evidence of clonal dissemination of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Hong Kong. J Clin Microbiol, 1999; 37:2834-2839.
  1. Lo SW, Mellor K, Cohen R, Alonso AR, Belman S, Kumar N, Hawkins PA, Gladstone RA, von Gottberg A, Veeraraghavan B, Ravikumar KL, Kandasamy R, Pollard SAJ, Saha SK, Bigogo G, Antonio M, Kwambana-Adams B, Mirza S, Shakoor S, Nisar I, Cornick JE, Lehmann D, Ford RL, Sigauque B, Turner P, Moïsi J, Obaro SK, Dagan R, Diawara I, Skoczyńska A, Wang H, Carter PE, Klugman KP, Rodgers G, Breiman RF, McGee L, Bentley SD, Muñoz-Almagro C, Varon E; Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Consortium. Emergence of a multidrug-resistant and virulent Streptococcus pneumoniae lineage mediates serotype replacement after PCV13: an international whole-genome sequencing study. Lancet Microbe. 2022 Oct;3(10):e735-e743.
  2. Ndlangisa KM, du Plessis M, Lo S, de Gouveia L, Chaguza C, Antonio M, Kwambana-Adams B, Cornick J, Everett DB, Dagan R, Hawkins PA, Beall B, Corso A, Grassi Almeida SC, Ochoa TJ, Obaro S, Shakoor S, Donkor ES, Gladstone RA, Ho PL, Paragi M, Doiphode S, Srifuengfung S, Ford R, Moïsi J, Saha SK, Bigogo G, Sigauque B, Eser ÖK, Elmdaghri N, Titov L, Turner P, Kumar KLR, Kandasamy R, Egorova E, Ip M, Breiman RF, Klugman KP, McGee L, Bentley SD, von Gottberg A, The Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Consortium. A Streptococcus pneumoniae lineage usually associated with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) serotypes is the most common cause of serotype 35B invasive disease in South Africa, following routine use of PCV. Microb Genom. 2022 Apr;8(4):000746.
  3. Gladstone RA, Siira L, Brynildsrud OB, Vestrheim DF, Turner P, Clarke SC, Srifuengfung S, Ford R, Lehmann D, Egorova E, Voropaeva E, Haraldsson G, Kristinsson KG, McGee L, Breiman RF, Bentley SD, Sheppard CL, Fry NK, Corander J, Toropainen M, Steens A; Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Consortium. International links between Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine serotype 4 sequence type (ST) 801 in Northern European shipyard outbreaks of invasive pneumococcal disease. Vaccine. 2022 Feb 11;40(7):1054-1060
  4. D’Aeth JC, van der Linden MP, McGee L, de Lencastre H, Turner P, Song JH, Lo SW, Gladstone RA, Sá-Leão R, Ko KS, Hanage WP, Breiman RF, Beall B, Bentley SD, Croucher NJ; GPS Consortium. The role of interspecies recombination in the evolution of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci. Elife. 2021 Jul 14;10:e67113.
  5. Chan KC, Subramanian R, Chong P, Nelson EA, Lam HS, Li AM, Ip M. Pneumococcal carriage in young children after introduction of PCV13 in Hong Kong. Vaccine. 2016 Jul 19;34(33):3867-74.
  6. Subramanian R, Liyanapathirana V, Barua N, Sun R, Wang MH, Ng R, Nelson EAS, Hui DS, Ip M. Persistence of Pneumococcal Serotype 3 in Adult Pneumococcal Disease in Hong Kong. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Jul 7;9(7):756.
  7. Brueggemann AB, Jansen van Rensburg MJ, Shaw D, McCarthy ND, Jolley KA, Maiden MCJ, van der Linden MPG, Amin-Chowdhury Z, Bennett DE, Borrow R, Brandileone MC, Broughton K, Campbell R, Cao B, Casanova C, Choi EH, Chu YW, Clark SA, Claus H, Coelho J, Corcoran M, Cottrell S, Cunney RJ, Dalby T, Davies H, de Gouveia L, Deghmane AE, Demczuk W, Desmet S, Drew RJ, du Plessis M, Erlendsdottir H, Fry NK, Fuursted K, Gray SJ, Henriques-Normark B, Hale T, Hilty M, Hoffmann S, Humphreys H, Ip M, Jacobsson S, Johnston J, Kozakova J, Kristinsson KG, Krizova P, Kuch A, Ladhani SN, Lâm TT, Lebedova V, Lindholm L, Litt DJ, Martin I, Martiny D, Mattheus W, McElligott M, Meehan M, Meiring S, Mölling P, Morfeldt E, Morgan J, Mulhall RM, Muñoz-Almagro C, Murdoch DR, Murphy J, Musilek M, Mzabi A, Perez-Argüello A, Perrin M, Perry M, Redin A, Roberts R, Roberts M, Rokney A, Ron M, Scott KJ, Sheppard CL, Siira L, Skoczyńska A, Sloan M, Slotved HC, Smith AJ, Song JY, Taha MK, Toropainen M, Tsang D, Vainio A, van Sorge NM, Varon E, Vlach J, Vogel U, Vohrnova S, von Gottberg A, Zanella RC, Zhou F. Changes in the incidence of invasive disease due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis during the COVID-19 pandemic in 26 countries and territories in the Invasive Respiratory Infection Surveillance Initiative: a prospective analysis of surveillance data. Lancet Digit Health. 2021 Jun;3(6):e360-e370.
  8. Lui G, To HKW, Lee N, Chan RWY, Li T, Wong RYK, Hui DSC, Ip M. Adherence to Treatment Guideline Improves Patient Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort of Adults Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020 Apr 24;7(5):ofaa146.
  9. Lo SW, Gladstone RA, van Tonder AJ, Du Plessis M, Cornick JE, Hawkins PA, Madhi SA, Nzenze SA, Kandasamy R, Ravikumar KL, Elmdaghri N, Kwambana-Adams B, Almeida SCG, Skoczynska A, Egorova E, Titov L, Saha SK, Paragi M, Everett DB, Antonio M, Klugman KP, Li Y, Metcalf BJ, Beall B, McGee L, Breiman RF, Bentley SD, von Gottberg A; Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Consortium. A mosaic tetracycline resistance gene tet(S/M) detected in an MDR pneumococcal CC230 lineage that underwent capsular switching in South Africa. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2020 Mar 1;75(3):512-520.
  10. Ho J, Ip M. Antibiotic-Resistant Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2019 Dec;33(4):1087-1103
  11. Lo SW, Gladstone RA, van Tonder AJ, Lees JA, du Plessis M, Benisty R, Givon- Lavi N, Hawkins PA, Cornick JE, Kwambana-Adams B, Law PY, Ho PL, Antonio M, Everett DB, Dagan R, von Gottberg A, Klugman KP, McGee L, Breiman RF, Bentley SD; Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Consortium. Pneumococcal lineages associated with serotype replacement and antibiotic resistance in childhood invasive pneumococcal disease in the post-PCV13 era: an international whole-genome sequencing study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2019 Jul;19(7):759-769.
  12. van Tonder AJ, Gladstone RA, Lo SW, Nahm MH, du Plessis M, Cornick J, Kwambana-Adams B, Madhi SA, Hawkins PA, Benisty R, Dagan R, Everett D, Antonio M, Klugman KP, von Gottberg A, Breiman RF, McGee L, Bentley SD; The Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Consortium. Putative novel cps loci in a large global collection of pneumococci. Microb Genom. 2019 Jul;5(7):e000274.
  13. Hon KL, Chan KH, Ko PL, Cheung MHY, Tsang KYC, Chan LCN, Chan RWY, Leung TF, Ip M. Change in Pneumococcus Serotypes but not Mortality or Morbidity in Pre- and Post-13-Valent Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine Era: Epidemiology in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit over 10 Years. J Trop Pediatr. 2018 Oct 1;64(5):403-408.
  14. Liyanapathirana V, Nelson EA, Ang I, Subramanian R, Ma H, Ip M. Emergence of serogroup 15 Streptococcus pneumoniae of diverse genetic backgrounds following the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in Hong Kong. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015 Jan;81(1):66-70.
  15. Ip M, Liyanapathirana V, Ang I, Fung KS, Ng TK, Zhou H, Tsang DN. Direct detection and prediction of all pneumococcal serogroups by target enrichment- based next-generation sequencing. J Clin Microbiol. 2014 Dec;52(12):4244-52.
  16. Hon KL, Leung AS, Cheung KL, Fu AC, Chu WC, Ip M, Chan PK. Typical or atypical pneumonia and severe acute respiratory symptoms in PICU. Clin Respir J. 2015 Jul;9(3):366-71.
  17. Ip M, Ang I, Liyanapathirana V, Ma H, Lai R. Genetic analyses of penicillin binding protein determinants in multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroup 19 CC320/271 clone with high-level resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015 Jul;59(7):4040-5.
  18. Ip M, Ma H, Li C, Tsui S, Zhou H. Draft Genome Sequences of Two Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 19F Sequence Type 271 Clinical Isolates with Low- and High-Level Cefotaxime Resistance. Genome Announc. 2015 Jun 11;3(3):e00605-15
  19. Liyanapathirana V, Ang I, Tsang D, Fung K, Ng TK, Zhou H, Ip M. Application of a target enrichment-based next-generation sequencing protocol for identification and sequence-based prediction of pneumococcal serotypes. BMC Microbiol. 2014 Mar 10;14:60.
  1. Founou LL, Khan UB, Medugu N, Pinto TCA, Darboe S, Chendi Z, Founou RC, To KN, Jamrozy D, Karampatsas K, Carr VR, Pepper K, Dangor Z, Ip M, Le Doare K, Bentley SD. Molecular epidemiology of Streptococcus agalactiae in non- pregnant populations: a systematic review. Microb Genom. 2023 Nov;9(11):001140.
  2. Trotter CL, Alderson M, Dangor Z, Ip M, Le Doare K, Nakabembe E, Procter SR, Sekikubo M, Lambach P. Vaccine value profile for Group B streptococcus. Vaccine. 2023 Nov 3;41 Suppl 2:S41-S52.
  3. Schar D, Zhang Z, Pires J, Vrancken B, Suchard MA, Lemey P, Ip M, Gilbert M, Van Boeckel T, Dellicour S. Dispersal history and bidirectional human-fish host switching of invasive, hypervirulent Streptococcus agalactiae sequence type 283. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Oct 19;3(10):e0002454.
  4. Gonçalves BP, Procter SR, Paul P, Chandna J, Lewin A, Seedat F, Koukounari A, Dangor Z, Leahy S, Santhanam S, John HB, Bramugy J, Bardají A, Abubakar A, Nasambu C, Libster R, Sánchez Yanotti C, Horváth-Puhó E, Sørensen HT, van de Beek D, Bijlsma MW, Gardner WM, Kassebaum N, Trotter C, Bassat Q, Madhi SA, Lambach P, Jit M, Lawn JE; GBS Danish and Dutch collaborative group for long term outcomes; GBS Low and Middle Income Countries collaborative group for long term outcomes; GBS Scientific Advisory Group, epidemiological sub-group; CHAMPS team. Group B streptococcus infection during pregnancy and infancy: estimates of regional and global burden. Lancet Glob Health. 2022 Jun;10(6):e807-e819.
  5. Li C, Sapugahawatte DN, Yang Y, Wong KT, Lo NWS, Ip M. Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus agalactiae Strains Found in Human and Fish with High Penicillin and Cefotaxime Non-Susceptibilities. Microorganisms. 2020 Jul 16;8(7):1055
  6. Sapugahawatte DN, Li C, Dharmaratne P, Zhu C, Yeoh YK, Yang J, Lo NWS, Wong KT, Ip M. Prevalence and Characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae from Freshwater Fish and Pork in Hong Kong Wet Markets. Antibiotics (Basel). 2022 Mar 16;11(3):397
  7. Sapugahawatte DN, Li C, Liyanapathirana V, Kandauda C, Gihan C, Zhu C, Lo NWS, Wong KT, Ip M. Colonization of Group B Streptococcus in Pregnant Women and Their Neonates from a Sri Lankan Hospital. Pathogens. 2022 Mar 23;11(4):386
  8. Rothen J, Sapugahawatte DN, Li C, Lo N, Vogel G, Foucault F, Pflüger V, Pothier JF, Blom J, Daubenberger C, Ip M. A simple, rapid typing method for Streptococcus agalactiae based on ribosomal subunit proteins by MALDI-TOF MS. Sci Rep. 2020 May 29;10(1):8788
  9. Rothen J, Pothier JF, Foucault F, Blom J, Nanayakkara D, Li C, Ip M, Tanner M, Vogel G, Pflüger V, Daubenberger CA. Subspecies Typing of Streptococcus agalactiae Based on Ribosomal Subunit Protein Mass Variation by MALDI-TOF MS. Front Microbiol. 2019 Mar 11;10:471.
  10. Yang Y, Luo M, Zhou H, Li C, Luk A, Zhao G, Fung K, Ip M. Role of Two- Component System Response Regulator bceR in the Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence, Biofilm Formation, and Stress Response of Group B Streptococcus. Front Microbiol. 2019 Jan 23;10:10.
  11. Morach M, Stephan R, Schmitt S, Ewers C, Zschöck M, Reyes-Velez J, Gilli U, Del Pilar Crespo-Ortiz M, Crumlish M, Gunturu R, Daubenberger CA, Ip M, Regli W, Johler S. Population structure and virulence gene profiles of Streptococcus agalactiae collected from different hosts worldwide. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2018 Mar;37(3):527-536.
  12. Russell NJ, Seale AC, O’Driscoll M, O’Sullivan C, Bianchi-Jassir F, Gonzalez- Guarin J, Lawn JE, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Heath PT, Le Doare K, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, Schrag S, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Saha SK, Ip M; GBS Maternal Colonization Investigator Group. Maternal Colonization With Group B Streptococcus and Serotype Distribution Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S100-S111.
  13. Hall J, Adams NH, Bartlett L, Seale AC, Lamagni T, Bianchi-Jassir F, Lawn JE, Baker CJ, Cutland C, Heath PT, Ip M, Le Doare K, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Schrag S, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Gravett MG. Maternal Disease With Group B Streptococcus and Serotype Distribution Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S112-S124.
  14. Seale AC, Blencowe H, Bianchi-Jassir F, Embleton N, Bassat Q, Ordi J, Menéndez C, Cutland C, Briner C, Berkley JA, Lawn JE, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Gravett MG, Heath PT, Ip M, Le Doare K, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Schrag S, Meulen AS, Vekemans J, Madhi SA. Stillbirth With Group B Streptococcus Disease Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S125-S132
  15. Seale AC, Bianchi-Jassir F, Russell NJ, Kohli-Lynch M, Tann CJ, Hall J, Madrid L, Blencowe H, Cousens S, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Heath PT, Ip M, Le Doare K, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Schrag SJ, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Lawn JE. Estimates of the Burden of Group B Streptococcal Disease Worldwide for Pregnant Women, Stillbirths, and Children. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S200-S219.
  16. Bianchi-Jassir F, Seale AC, Kohli-Lynch M, Lawn JE, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Heath PT, Ip M, Le Doare K, Madhi SA, Saha SK, Schrag S, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Rubens CE. Preterm Birth Associated With Group B Streptococcus Maternal Colonization Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta- analyses. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S133-S142.
  17. Madrid L, Seale AC, Kohli-Lynch M, Edmond KM, Lawn JE, Heath PT, Madhi SA, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Ip M, Le Doare K, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Schrag S; Infant GBS Disease Investigator Group. Infant Group B Streptococcal Disease Incidence and Serotypes Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S160-S172.
  18. Kalimuddin S, Chen SL, Lim CTK, Koh TH, Tan TY, Kam M, Wong CW, Mehershahi KS, Chau ML, Ng LC, Tang WY, Badaruddin H, Teo J, Apisarnthanarak A, Suwantarat N, Ip M, Holden MTG, Hsu LY, Barkham T; Singapore Group B Streptococcus Consortium. 2015 Epidemic of Severe Streptococcus agalactiae Sequence Type 283 Infections in Singapore Associated With the Consumption of Raw Freshwater Fish: A Detailed Analysis of Clinical, Epidemiological, and Bacterial Sequencing Data. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 May 15;64(suppl_2):S145-S152.
  19. Le Doare K, O’Driscoll M, Turner K, Seedat F, Russell NJ, Seale AC, Heath PT, Lawn JE, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Ip M, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Schrag S, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Kampmann B; GBS Intrapartum Antibiotic Investigator Group. Intrapartum Antibiotic Chemoprophylaxis Policies for the Prevention of Group B Streptococcal Disease Worldwide: Systematic Review. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S143-S151.
  20. Tann CJ, Martinello KA, Sadoo S, Lawn JE, Seale AC, Vega-Poblete M, Russell NJ, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Ip M, Le Doare K, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Schrag S, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Heath PT; GBS Neonatal Encephalopathy Investigator Group. Neonatal Encephalopathy With Group B Streptococcal Disease Worldwide: Systematic Review, Investigator Group Datasets, and Meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S173-S189.
  21. Russell NJ, Seale AC, O’Sullivan C, Le Doare K, Heath PT, Lawn JE, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett M, Ip M, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Schrag S, Sobanjo- Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Baker CJ. Risk of Early-Onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease With Maternal Colonization Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S152-S159.
  22. Kohli-Lynch M, Russell NJ, Seale AC, Dangor Z, Tann CJ, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Heath PT, Ip M, Le Doare K, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, SahaSK, Schrag S, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, O’Sullivan C, Nakwa F, Ben Hamouda H, Soua H, Giorgakoudi K, Ladhani S, Lamagni T, Rattue H, Trotter C, Lawn JE. Neurodevelopmental Impairment in Children After Group B Streptococcal Disease Worldwide: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S190-S199
  23. Lawn JE, Bianchi-Jassir F, Russell NJ, Kohli-Lynch M, Tann CJ, Hall J, Madrid L, Baker CJ, Bartlett L, Cutland C, Gravett MG, Heath PT, Ip M, Le Doare K, Madhi SA, Rubens CE, Saha SK, Schrag S, Sobanjo-Ter Meulen A, Vekemans J, Seale AC. Group B Streptococcal Disease Worldwide for Pregnant Women, Stillbirths, and Children: Why, What, and How to Undertake Estimates? Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Nov 6;65(suppl_2):S89-S99.
  24. Kwatra G, Cunnington MC, Merrall E, Adrian PV, Ip M, Klugman KP, Tam WH, Madhi SA. Prevalence of maternal colonisation with group B streptococcus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2016 Sep;16(9):1076-1084.
  25. Ip M, Ang I, Fung K, Liyanapathirana V, Luo MJ, Lai R. Hypervirulent Clone of Group B Streptococcus Serotype III Sequence Type 283, Hong Kong, 1993-2012. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Oct;22(10):1800-3.
  26. Yeung SW, Cheung PT, Chau SL, Ip M, Lao TT, Leung TY, Tam WH. Evaluation of an in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction method to identify group B streptococcus colonization in pregnancy. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2015 Sep;41(9):1357-62
  27. Rivera L, Sáez-Llorens X, Feris-Iglesias J, Ip M, Saha S, Adrian PV, Madhi SA, Boudville IC, Cunnington MC, Casellas JM, Slobod KS. Incidence and serotype distribution of invasive group B streptococcal disease in young infants: a multi-country observational study. BMC Pediatr. 2015 Oct 1;15:143.
“The genomes of Group B Streptococcus and the relationship to pathogenesis of disease”. Book title: “Current Research, Technology and Education Topics in Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology” Ma HL and Ip M*. pg646-657. Editor: Antonio Mendez Vilas, Publisher: Formatex Research Center, Volume 1 ISBN (13): 978-84-614-6194-, Published: December 2010. (http://www.formatex.org/microbiology2/) .