Streptococcus agalactiae
From IDWiki
Background
Microbiology
- Gram-positive coccus in chains
- The most common group B Streptococcus of clinical concern
- Identified with the help of a CAMP test, where β-hemolysis is induced by the presence of Staphylococcus aureus
Epidemiology
- Previously the most common cause of neonatal sepsis, until screening and prophylaxis during pregnancy and deliverybecame routine
Clinical Manifestations
Neonatal
- May be either early-onset (< 7 days old) or late-onset (7 to 90 days old)
- Presents with bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis
Older Children and Adults
- Similar spectrum of illness to Streptococcus pyogenes, including bacteremia
- Rare cause of community-acquired meningitis in adults, with high mortality1
- Risk factors include immunocompromised state, CSF leak, and endocarditis
Management
- Treated with penicillin, amoxicillin, or a first-generation cephalosporin
References
- ^ Merel N. van Kassel, Koen J. van Haeringen, Matthijs C. Brouwer, Merijn W. Bijlsma, Diederik van de Beek. Community-acquired group B streptococcal meningitis in adults. Journal of Infection. 2020;80(3):255-260. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2019.12.002.
