What Serotypes Cause the Most Group B Streptococcal Disease?
Discussion
Streptococcus agalactiae or Lancefield Group B streptococcus (GBS) was first described in 1887 and the first neonatal cases were described in the early 1960s. GBS can cause infections in all age groups but pregnant women and infants share most of the burden of the disease. GBS asymptomatically colonizes the genital and gastrointestinal tracts of pregnant women (15-40%). GBS is then transmitted vertically to infants generally after the rupture of fetal membranes or onset of labor. It is estimated that 50% of infants born to GBS+ mothers become colonized and 1% have invasive disease. Recurrent infections do occur in about 1-6% of patients.
For infants, the GBS disease is classified by age of onset:
Early onset (EOGBS)
Occurs from day 0-day 6 of life
60-70% of cases of disease
Greatest risk in first 24 hours of life, especially the first 12 hours of life
Caused by vertical transmission
Risk factors include: maternal GBS colonization (most important factor), maternal GBS bacturia, male gender, black race, prolonged rupture of membranes, prematurity, intrapartum fever, low maternal GBS antibodies, previous infant with EOGBS
Usually presents with sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis. Death occurs in 2-20% depending on risk factors.
Late onset (LOGBS)
Occurs from 7 -89 days of life
Cause is vertical transmission most often but also nosocomial or community contacts
Risk factors include maternal GBS colonization, male sex, black race, twin with LOBGBS, prematurity and inf...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
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