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Late and ultra late onset Streptococcus B meningitis: clinical and bacteriological data over 6 years in France

J Guilbert1, C Levy, R Cohen

  • 1Department of Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Trousseau's Hospital, Paris, France. julia.guilbert@trs.aphp.f

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|December 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) meningitis in infants presents differently based on onset. Ultra late onset disease (ULOD) is strongly linked to prematurity, unlike late onset disease (LOD).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal infectious diseases
  • Pediatric neurology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a primary cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis.
  • Distinguishing between late onset disease (LOD) and ultra late onset disease (ULOD) in GBS meningitis is crucial for understanding disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize GBS meningitis in infants aged 7-89 days (LOD) and compare it with those over 3 months (ULOD).
  • To identify potential differences in clinical presentation and risk factors between LOD and ULOD GBS meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the ACTIV/GPIP nationwide active surveillance network (2001-2006).
  • Analyzed clinical and biological data of 242 children diagnosed with GBS meningitis (220 LOD, 22 ULOD).

Main Results:

  • Infants in the ULOD group had significantly lower gestational age (35.6 weeks) compared to the LOD group (37.9 weeks).
  • Early preterm birth (before 32 weeks GA) was more prevalent in the ULOD group (32%) versus the LOD group (7%).
  • No significant differences were observed in lumbar puncture findings, GBS serotypes, complications, or survival rates between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Late onset disease (LOD) and ultra late onset disease (ULOD) appear to be similar clinical and bacteriological entities.
  • Prematurity is a significant distinguishing factor associated with ultra late onset disease (ULOD) in GBS meningitis.
Abstract

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