Group B streptococcus - a pathogen not restricted to neonates

This was a retropective study of invasive group B streptococcal (GBS) infections isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid and corpus vitreum in a defined region in southwest Sweden over a 14-year period.

Information on all invasive GBS infections was obtained from all four bacteriological laboratories in the region, with data obtained from individual patient records.

GBS was isolated from normally sterile body fluids in 1244 samples (579 from females and 665 from males) from 1101 patients. Of these patients, 196 were neonates. The incidence in neonates (0-27 days) was 7.3 per 100 000 live births per year, but there was a significant decrease from 2012 when risk-factor-based intrapartum antibibiotic prophylaxis was implemented. The great majority of neonatal infections were very early-onset infections. The incidence rates in children (28 days to 17 years), adults (18-64 years) and elderly patients (≥ 65 years) were 1.3, 3.6, and 12.9 per 100 000 per year, respectively. The majority of children and adults had severe underlying diseases, but severe infections were also seen in individuals with no risk factors.

GBS is an important pathogen in all age groups. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis significantly decreases very early-onset infections.