Group B streptococcal bacteremia in a community teaching hospital

Group B streptococcal bacteremia outside the perinatal setting is not commonly emphasized. This report reviews all episodes of group B streptococcal bacteremia during a four and a half year period in a large community teaching hospital. Fourteen episodes occurred in neonates, four in parturient women, and 28 in other adults. Bacteremic adults were usually elderly with an average age of 68 years. Group B streptococcal bacteremia occurred in adults with various underlying diseases, including diabetes mellitus, liver disease, peripheral vascular disease, and hematologic disease, and in those receiving long-term steroid therapy. Infections causing group B streptococcal bacteremia in adults included decubitus ulcers, pneumonia, endocarditis, cellulitis, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and meningitis. Thirteen of 28 episodes of group B streptococcal bacteremia in adults were hospital-acquired. Overall mortality in adults was 70 percent. Group B streptococcal bacteremia in adults outside of the perinatal setting is associated with significant underlying diseases and has a high mortality.     

Group G streptococcal endocarditis and bacteremia

This report describes fifteen recent cases of group G streptococcal bacteremia in patients with acute illnesses. Seven patients had acute endocarditis (47 percent). Four deaths occurred, and four patients had significant clinical complications during prolonged stormy courses. This series indicates a relatively high incidence of infective endocarditis in patients with group G streptococcal bacteremia, which is at variance with recent reports. Group G streptococcal bacteremia (with or without endocarditis) is a serious infection that often follows a hectic course with significant morbidity and mortality. The need for prompt recognition and aggressive treatment of this infection is underscored.     

Group B streptococcal bacteremia in an adult: a case report from India

The incidence of group B streptococcal bacteremia in adults has increased in recent years, particularly in patients with severe underlying diseases. However, group B still remains an unusual pathogen in adults in developing countries. We report a case of group B streptococcal bacteremia in a non-pregnant adult, the only case reported in our hospital. The organism was only isolated from the blood and responded to specific therapy.     

Group A streptococcal bacteremia in intravenous drug abusers

The clinical and microbiologic features of group A streptococcal bacteremia are described in 40 patients, all of whom were seen between January 1982 and June 1983 and all of whom were intravenous drug abusers. Eleven patients had endocarditis (two with left-sided and nine with right-sided), and 29 patients had bacteremia without endocardial involvement. Twenty-seven of the 29 patients without endocarditis had soft tissue infections, primarily groin abscesses. Constitutional symptoms were more severe in patients with endocarditis. The two patients with left-sided endocarditis died despite antimicrobial therapy; all nine patients with right-sided endocarditis and all 29 patients without endocarditis were cured of their infection. A predominant strain of group A streptococcus was identified by serologic typing, suggesting a common source for these cases.     

Clinical characteristics of Group G streptococcal bacteremia in Taiwan

The results of this retrospective study showed that Group G streptococcal bacteremia was an acute febrile disease with low mortality. Most patients were > 60 y old but there was a strong association between age < 60 y and malignancy. Cases clustered in summer and the most common port of entry was the skin.     

Group B streptococcal vaccines

In recent years group B Streptococcus (GBS) has been recognized as a major perinatal pathogen. As with other encapsulated bacteria, protective immunity appears to correlate with serum antibody specific for the homologous capsular polysaccharide antigen of each serotype. Since susceptibility of the young infant to disseminated GBS infection relates to type-specific antibody deficiency in maternal serum, immunization of women with purified GBS type-specific polysaccharides has been proposed as a method for the prevention of infant disease through placental transport of protective antibodies. Candidate native polysaccharides from GBS have been purified, immunochemically and structurally characterized, and employed as immunogen in healthy adult volunteers. Native type Ia, II, and III polysaccharides have been shown to be nontoxic, safe, and immunogenic in approximately 65%, 95%, and 70%, respectively, of nonimmune adults. Antibody response to immunization approaches 100% in previously immune volunteers. Vaccine-induced type-specific antibodies to these candidate polysaccharide vaccines promote in vitro opsonophagocytosis, protect animals given a lethal challenge of homologous organisms, and are predominantly of the IgG isotype. Once similar results can be documented in women immunized during the last half of pregnancy, efficacy of these candidate GBS polysaccharide vaccines in the prevention of neonatal and young infant GBS disease should be evaluated.     

Group C streptococcal bacteremia: analysis of 88 cases

Eighty-eight cases of group C streptococcal bacteremia were reviewed retrospectively. Most patients had underlying diseases (72.7%), predominantly cardiovascular disease (20.5%) or malignancy (20.5%). The infection originated most often from the upper respiratory tract (20.5%), the gastrointestinal tract (18.2%), or the skin (17.1%). Prior exposure to animals or animal products was reported in 23.9% of cases. The most common clinical manifestations of group C streptococcal bacteremia were endocarditis (27.3%), primary bacteremia (22.7%), and meningitis (10.2%). Of streptococcal isolates, 61.4% were not speciated, 19.3% were Streptococcus equisimilis, 17.1% were Streptococcus zooepidemicus, and two (2.3%) were Streptococcus equi. The isolates were sensitive to most antibiotics, and most patients were treated with beta-lactam agents. Mortality was high (25.0%), especially among older patients and patients with endocarditis, meningitis, and disseminated infection. Group C streptococcal bacteremia does not differ from bloodstream infection caused by other beta-hemolytic streptococci with regard to clinical presentation, treatment, or outcome.     

A case of group B streptococcal occult bacteremia

We reported an infant with occult bacteremia caused by group B Streptococcus (GBS). An 8-week-old girl, who was uneventfully born to an 18-year-old mother, was hospitalized because of a 4-hour history of fever. On admission, she appeared nontoxic, and the temperature was 39.0 degrees C, and the pulse and respiratory rates were 162/min and 42/min, respectively. Laboratory findings showed a total white blood count of 5,200/microliter with 44% neutrophils and C-reactive protein of 0.7 mg/dl. Cerebrospinal fluid and urine examinations did not disclosed any abnormalities. After a complete evaluation of sepsis including cultures from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, stool, and throat swab, intravenous cefotaxime was administered at 100 mg/kg/day in three fractions. Nine hours after the start of the culture, GBS was isolated from blood, and thereafter from the throat, but not from other culture sites obtained on admission. However, at that time she fed well and her temperature was subsiding. Forty-eight hours after admission, she became afebrile and cefotaxime administration was continued for 7 days. Based on the examinations of minimal inhibitory concentrations of various antibiotics, serotype analysis, and restriction-digestion patterns of genomic DNA, the 3 GBS strains isolated from the patient's blood and throat and the maternal anus were identical, suggesting that the infant was infected by her mother. This is the first report in Japan describing the clinical course of GBS occult bacteremia. According to a case series published in the English literature and our case, there are few clinical and laboratory markers predictive for GBS occult bacteremia, but this condition may develop focal invasive infections. A high index of suspicion is required for correct diagnosis. Further accumulation of such patients is warranted to establish the appropriate treatment.     

Group B streptococcal arthritis in adults

Group B Streptococcal arthritis in adults is uncommon. This report describes seven cases seen at these institutions over the past five years and reviews the previous 17 documented cases. Of seven adults, three were diabetics, three had prosthetic hips, and one had undergone splenectomy. Six had undergone no prior dental, genitourinary, or gastrointestinal procedures. The most common clinical presentation was fever and acute joint pain. Five patients had monoarticular arthritis; two had multiple joint involvement. Underlying joint abnormalities included osteoarthritis (two), prosthetic hip (three), and neuropathic joint (one). Bacteremia was documented in three and suspected in the remaining four patients, often without a primary source. Therapy included parenteral antibiotics, usually penicillin G, and drainage of the involved joint. Two of three patients with prosthetic implants required Girdlestone procedures; the third was apparently cured. The three diabetic patients died, one with resolution of group B Streptococcal arthritis. The seventh patient was cured. Group B Streptococcal arthritis is a serious infection in adults with diabetes and late prosthetic hip infections.     

Group B streptococcal arthritis in adults

Group B beta-hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae) have been a rare cause of septic arthritis in adults. Only 18 cases have been cited in the literature, eight of which were described since 1976. Two additional cases occurring in the last year are described herein. Like other infections caused by group B streptococci, the incidence of septic arthritis due to these organisms appears to be increasing. A review of these 20 cases revealed a history of prior arthritis or trauma to the involved joints in 30 percent, and an additional 30 percent occurred in potentially immunocompromised hosts. Four of the patients had probable oligoarticular group B streptococcal arthritis. Although most deaths occurred in the pre-penicillin era, early recognition and treatment are essential to prevent joint destruction.     

Group B streptococcal infective endocarditis

From 1970 to 1983, five patients with group B streptococcal endocarditis were treated at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. The minimal inhibitory concentration and the minimal bactericidal concentration of penicillin were 0.09 microgram/mL or less and 1.56 micrograms/mL or less, respectively. The in vitro activity of cefazolin against group B streptococci was similar to that of penicillin. In three of the five cases, penicillin and streptomycin acted synergistically in vitro against group B streptococci. Four of the five patients were cured, three by use of an aminoglycoside combined with penicillin, ampicillin, or vancomycin. Three of the five patients had multiple large systemic emboli, and one of the three died of brain-stem infarct. Penicillin alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside is effective therapy for group B streptococcal endocarditis. Patients unable to tolerate penicillin may be treated with cefazolin or vancomycin. Clindamycin therapy should be avoided in patients with endocarditis caused by strains that are tolerant in vitro to clindamycin.     

Group C streptococcal bacteremia: a case report from India

Group C streptococci are a common cause of infection in animals and a rare cause of bacteremia in human beings. The entity is often seen in elderly people with a severe underlying illness. We report here the only case of Group C streptococcal bacteremia reported in our hospital, caused by Streptococcus equisimilis, a beta-hemolytic Group C streptococcus. The patient was a 10-year old male with a known history of aplastic anemia. In spite of specific therapy with penicillin, the outcome was fatal.     

Group B streptococcal polyarthritis complicating hemophilia B

We report a case of polyarticular group B streptococcal infection in an HIV-negative 46-year-old alcoholic with factor IX deficiency. Septic arthritis occurs infrequently in the hemophilic population despite their chronic joint disease; indications for diagnostic arthrocentesis in these individuals are discussed. The group B streptococcus often behaves as an opportunist in adults.