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A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

Recurrent neonatal group B streptococcal disease associated with infected breast milk

Lin-Yu Wang1, Chun-Ta Chen, Won-Hsiung Liu

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chi-Mei Foundation Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.

Clinical Pediatrics
|June 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can cause severe newborn infections. This study found GBS transmission via breast milk led to recurrent infant sepsis, highlighting the need for milk screening.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal infectious diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal infections.
  • Recurrent GBS infections in newborns are uncommon but serious.
  • GBS colonization persistence may contribute to recurrent infections.

Observation:

  • A term infant experienced GBS sepsis and meningitis.
  • The infant later developed recurrent GBS sepsis from infected breast milk.
  • Maternal mastitis was associated with GBS in breast milk.

Findings:

  • Identical GBS strains were isolated from the infant's initial and recurrent infections.
  • The same GBS strain was identified in the mother's breast milk.
  • Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR confirmed isolate identity.

Implications:

  • Breast milk transmission of GBS should be considered in recurrent neonatal infections.
  • Routine bacterial culture of breast milk is recommended for such cases.
  • This finding aids in understanding and preventing recurrent GBS disease in newborns.

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