Three distinct episodes of GBS septicemia in a healthy newborn during the first month of life

Eur J Pediatr. 2010 Oct;169(10):1275-7. doi: 10.1007/s00431-010-1187-6. Epub 2010 Mar 25.

Abstract

In neonates, recurrent group B streptococcal infection is uncommon, and two relapses are extremely rare. We report a case of three distinct episodes of Streptococcus agalactiae bacteremia in a healthy full-term infant over a 4-week period. The newborn had no apparent predisposing condition or infectious focus, and the recurrences occurred after adequate antimicrobial treatment, the second occurring after withdrawal of colonized breast milk. Finally, oral rifampin was combined to his antibiotic regimen, his colonization cultures turned negative, and no further relapses have occurred during the 11-month follow-up. Conclusion In this report, we describe a newborn with two exceptionally rapid recurrences of group B streptococcal septicemias, and who was successfully treated with combining rifampin to the antibiotic regimen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Breast Feeding
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Recurrence
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Sepsis / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Rifampin