Desiccation stress enhances virulence potential of group B Streptococcus

Desiccated Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) survives for more than 80 days and retains enhanced virulence in murine infection models.

• Why it matters: Environmental persistence outside the host may support transmission and late-onset neonatal disease, but survival under desiccation and its link to pathogenic potential remain unclear.
• What they did: The study measured viability during nutrient starvation and desiccation, compared stationary- versus actively growing cells, assessed biofilm after rehydration, and used whole-genome sequencing to find adaptive mutations.
• The result: After rehydration, desiccated GBS formed more biofilm, colonized vaginal mucosa, increased invasion of reproductive tissues, and showed enhanced systemic virulence versus non-desiccated controls.

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