Molecular Identification of Invasive Non-typeable Group B Streptococcus Isolates From Denmark (2015 to 2017)

The number of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) non-typeable (NT) isolates in Denmark received since 1999 has in general accounted for 10% of all invasive GBS isolates. We present data on 55 clinical NT isolates based on clinical manifestations, clonal relationship, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants, and virulence factors. The GBS isolates included in this study were phenotypic-based NT obtained from 2015 to 2017, as well as 10 reference isolates. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on all isolates and the data were analyzed for the presence of both species specific genes, capsular genes (genotype), and other relevant genes. We furthermore compared different procedures for detection of serotype specific capsular genes. Overall we were able to genotype 54 of the 55 isolates. After retesting the isolates a phenotype was detected for 20 (36%) isolates, of which the initial phenotyping problem for 13 isolates was found to be due to a problem with serotype Ia specific antiserum. Thirty-five isolates remained phenotypic non-typeable with a majority of genotype V isolates which do not express a capsular gene. From all the Danish invasive GBS isolates from 2015 to 2017, the 35 NT isolates were all detected in the age group above 21 years with bacteremia. The 35 NT isolates belonged to six different well-known human pathogenic clonal complexes. The CDC recommended sequences for capsule genotyping were the most optimal for serotype prediction, because of the sequence simplicity and clear cutoff values. However we recommend to also use other capsular sequences for the NT isolates, if they cannot be genotyped by the CDC method.