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An infantile late-onset case Group of B Streptococcus meningitis diagnosed with a rapid latex kit

G Imataka1, Y Otsubo2, Y Fujita2

  • 1Dokkyo Medical University, Department of Pediatrics, Tochigi, Japan. geo@dokkyomed.ac.jp.

The Medical Journal of Malaysia
|July 26, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) meningitis remains a concern in newborns. Rapid latex testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aided in quick diagnosis and treatment, leading to a positive outcome in a severe infant case.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • While vaccines have decreased meningitis from some bacteria, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) meningitis persists as a significant neonatal central nervous system infection.
  • Late-onset GBS meningitis presents a challenge in infant healthcare, necessitating prompt and accurate diagnostic methods.

Observation:

  • A 34-day-old male infant presented with fever and confirmed GBS meningitis via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) latex testing.
  • The infant experienced partial seizures and developed subdural hygroma and reduced cerebral blood flow, confirmed by MRI and SPECT imaging.
  • Treatment involved a 14-day course of multiple antibiotics and anticonvulsant medications.

Findings:

  • Rapid latex testing of CSF enabled swift identification of GBS as the causative agent.
  • Despite initial severe symptoms including seizures and brain abnormalities, the infant showed significant improvement.
  • Three-year follow-up revealed no neurological sequelae, indicating successful management.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical importance of rapid diagnostic methods, such as latex testing, for identifying GBS in infantile meningitis.
  • Early and accurate etiological diagnosis is crucial for timely and effective treatment of neonatal meningitis.
  • The successful outcome suggests that prompt intervention can mitigate long-term neurological damage from GBS meningitis.

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