The first International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (ISSAD-2018) marked a historic milestone in the global fight against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections. Held from 20 to 23 February 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, it brought together 242 delegates from more than 37 countries. The event successfully united leading scientists, clinicians, public health professionals, and advocacy groups, creating an essential interdisciplinary platform to address GBS - a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in young infants and an important contributor to stillbirths worldwide.

The symposium, co-organized by Prof. Ajoke Sobanjo-ter Meulen from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Prof. Shabir A. Madhi from the University of the Witwatersrand, showcased a single-stream program of oral presentations, including plenary talks, free papers, and poster sessions. In addition to the formal sessions, networking opportunities such as the inaugural Carol J. Baker Lecture (delivered by Prof. Carol J. Baker herself and introduced by Prof. Madhi) and a gala dinner facilitated the exchange of ideas and strengthened international collaborations.

Key themes covered included GBS colonization, disease burden, epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology, prevention, and advocacy. The event highlighted the serious impact of GBS on maternal and neonatal health globally, emphasizing the urgency of advancing vaccines and preventive measures. ISSAD-2018 laid the foundation for a committed community dedicated to reducing GBS disease through scientific innovation and public health action.