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A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
10:19

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Published on: November 16, 2016

Group B streptococcal meningitis in adults: report of twelve cases and review

P Domingo1, N Barquet, M Alvarez

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|December 24, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Group B streptococcus (GBS) meningitis is increasingly common in adults, often affecting those with severe health issues. This serious infection carries a high fatality rate, with older age and complications worsening prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a primary cause of neonatal bacterial meningitis and sepsis.
  • GBS meningitis is historically infrequent in adult populations.
  • Recent trends suggest an increasing incidence of GBS meningitis in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on 12 adult cases of GBS meningitis.
  • To review 52 previously reported adult GBS meningitis cases.
  • To analyze risk factors and outcomes associated with adult GBS meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 12 institutional cases.
  • Literature review of 52 reported adult GBS meningitis cases.
  • Statistical analysis to identify factors associated with poor outcomes.

Main Results:

  • A total of 64 adult patients were analyzed (mean age 49.2 years).
  • 86% had comorbid conditions; 78.7% had positive blood cultures.
  • Overall case-fatality rate was 34.4%; advanced age and complications predicted poor outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Adult GBS meningitis is an emerging concern, particularly in patients with significant underlying health problems.
  • The condition is associated with a high mortality rate.
  • Advanced age and the presence of complications are significant predictors of mortality and poor prognosis.

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