Skin lesions in association with beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B

Area of Science:

• Neonatal dermatology
• Infectious diseases in newborns
• Maternal-fetal medicine

Background:

• Neonatal skin infections can present with varied morphologies.
• Bullous impetigo is a bacterial skin infection often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a significant neonatal pathogen.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of neonatal bullous impetigo potentially acquired in utero.
• To highlight the association of GBS colonization with unusual presentations of neonatal skin lesions.
• To discuss the implications of prenatal GBS infection.

Main Methods:

• Clinical case presentation of a full-term male infant.
• Cesarean section delivery after prolonged rupture of membranes (30 hours).
• Clinical examination revealing skin lesions consistent with healing bullous impetigo.
• Microbiological cultures identifying beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B from the infant and mother's cervix.

Main Results:

• Infant exhibited skin lesions indicative of the healing phase of bullous impetigo at birth.
• Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B was isolated from the infant.
• The same bacterial strain was cultured from the mother's cervix, suggesting a potential source of infection.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest a possible in utero acquisition of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group B.
• The healing stage of the lesions implies they were present before birth.
• This case underscores the importance of considering prenatal infection in neonates presenting with skin manifestations.