RETRACTED: Prevalence of GBS serotype III and identification of a ST 17-like genotype from neonates with invasive diseases in Guangzhou, China.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. There is significant discrepancy in the genomic characteristics between the currently and previously dominant GBS (2018) and previously dominant GBS (2013-2014). The dramatically rapid and unexpected evolution of GBS strains has led to the significant discrepancy from recent findings which makes all the authors strongly concerned that this will influence the accuracy and validity of GBS treatment and therapy if based on the current manuscript. For example, the genomic difference between the currently prevalent type (II and III) and previously prevalent type (III) is considerably diverse, for which the pathogenic and virulent characteristics of the strains are very different. As all authors have a strong sense of responsibility and expertise in clinical microbiology, agreed by all authors, on behalf of all authors of this manuscript, the authors consequently request for article withdrawal for this manuscript.