Streptococcus canis Rapidly Progressive and Fatal Neonatal Sepsis in a Term Infant

Streptococcus canis ( S. canis ), belonging to β-hemolytic group G streptococci, is increasingly reported to cause sepsis and severe infections in adults with comorbidities but is rarely reported in children.

We describe a case of S. canis neonatal sepsis in a term infant with a rapidly fatal outcome. We reviewed the literature on neonatal infections due to all group G streptococci including S. canis .

We identified 10 articles describing 19 cases of neonatal sepsis due to group G streptococcus, of which only 3 cases were identified at the species level. Most patients presented in the first week of life with neonatal sepsis with bacteremia present in 90% of cases. Among the patients, gestational age ranged from 31 to 42 weeks. Prematurity was reported in 35% of the patients. All patients were treated with β-lactams with or without aminoglycosides. Mortality was 26%.

S. canis infection is rare in the setting of neonatal sepsis; however, it can lead to high morbidity and mortality. It is imperative to promptly administer empiric antibiotics for critically ill neonates until neonatal sepsis is ruled out. β-lactams provide adequate coverage against S. canis . Further epidemiological and clinical studies focusing on S. canis are needed to fully understand the transmission and disease burden of this pathogen in neonates.