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[Osteomyelitis and arthritis caused by Streptococcus group B in a 40-day-old boy]
T Frediani1, S Lucarelli, M Barbato
1Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, II Cattedra di Puericultura, Università degli Studi La Sapienza, Roma, Italia.
Insights
Group B streptococci (GBS) can cause serious newborn infections. This case highlights GBS osteomyelitis in an infant, noting its increasing frequency and typically mild course in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infections
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Bacterial pathogenesis
Background:
- Group B streptococci (GBS) are a significant cause of neonatal infections.
- Traditionally, GBS infections present as early-onset (septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis) or late-onset (meningitis) syndromes.
- Emerging GBS manifestations include osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and other localized infections.
Observation:
- This report details a 40-day-old infant diagnosed with GBS osteomyelitis of the proximal humerus.
- The case contributes to the documented instances of GBS-related osteomyelitis, with prior literature reporting 30 cases.
- The infant's presentation adds to the understanding of less common GBS clinical syndromes.
Findings:
- Group B streptococcal osteomyelitis can occur in neonates, affecting long bones like the humerus.
- The frequency of GBS osteomyelitis in neonates appears to be increasing.
- Neonatal GBS osteomyelitis often follows a benign clinical course.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of GBS osteomyelitis is crucial for early diagnosis and management in newborns.
- Recognizing diverse GBS presentations can improve patient outcomes.
- Further research into the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of GBS infections in neonates is warranted.
Abstract:
Group B streptococci (GBS) have gained much attention in recent years as a cause of serious infection in the newborn. Traditionally two clinical syndromes have been defined as "early onset", with fulminant septicemia, pneumonia and meningitis, and "late onset", with a mild meningitis. More recently some previously unrecognized clinical presentations of GBS disease have been documented. These include asymptomatic bacteremia, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, ethmoiditis with orbital cellulitis, pneumoniae with empyema, conjunctivitis. The literature to date reports 30 instances of osteomyelitis due to GBS. This report describes a forty days infant with a group B streptococcal osteomyelitis of the proximal humerus. Has been also emphasized the increased frequency and the benign clinical course of streptococcal osteomyelitis in the neonate.