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Streptococcus bovis bacteremia and fetal death
Benjamin A White1, S A Labhsetwar, Alec N Mian
1St. Charles Mercy/St. Vincent Mercy Hospitals, in affiliation with Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Toledo, Ohio 43612, USA. carben1@msn.com
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|November 9, 2002
Summary
Intraamniotic infection from unusual bacteria like Streptococcus bovis can cause preterm premature rupture of membranes and fetal death. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and uterine evacuation is crucial for maternal and fetal health.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) can lead to severe intraamniotic infections.
- Unusual bacterial pathogens are implicated in PPROM, intraamniotic infection, and fetal demise.
Observation:
- A pregnant patient at 24 weeks and 6 days gestation presented with PPROM of 2 days' duration.
- The patient exhibited fever and hypotension; no fetal heart activity was detected.
- Maternal and fetal cultures identified Streptococcus bovis as the causative agent.
Findings:
- Streptococcus bovis infection was confirmed in both maternal and fetal samples.
- The infection resulted in a stillborn fetus weighing 798g.
- The case highlights S. bovis as a potential cause of severe obstetric infections.
Implications:
- Early recognition and management of severe maternal-fetal infections are critical.
- Aggressive fluid resuscitation, uterine evacuation, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy are indicated pending culture results.
- This case underscores the importance of considering unusual bacterial species in obstetric emergencies.