Of note, completely absent IFNβ signaling (IFNβ null and IFNα/β receptor null) in neonatal mice leads to 100% mortality following GBS infection (48) Furthermore, studies in adult mice demonstrate that IFNβ plays a protective role against infections common in the perinatal period, including Group B streptococcus and E. coli (49). The gene discussed is IFNB1; the disease is infection.