Outbreak of late-onset group B Streptococcus in a neonatal intensive care unit

In September 2007, the Tennessee Department of Health was notified of a cluster of late-onset group B streptococcal (GBS) infections in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Outbreaks of late-onset GBS are rare.

A case was defined as culture-confirmed invasive GBS infection in a neonate aged > or =7 days, identified in hospital A during August 23 to September 6, 2007. We reviewed medical records; examined NICU microbiology reports; and performed serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) on invasive isolates. Maternal GBS screening, prophylaxis, and infection control policies were reviewed and staff practices observed.

Five cases of late-onset GBS were identified. None of the mothers of the infants received optimal GBS prophylaxis. Patient isolates were of 2 serotypes, 3 PFGE patterns, and 2 MLST patterns. Three isolates were indistinguishable on subtyping. These 3 cases were clustered in time. No common health care providers were identified. Infection control deviations in the NICU were observed.

We identified a multiclonal cluster of 5 late-onset GBS cases. Multiple factors likely contributed to the outbreak, including nosocomial transmission of GBS. Further efforts to prevent late-onset GBS disease are necessary.