Late-onset neonatal infections caused by group B Streptococcus associated with viral infection

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2007 Oct;26(10):963-5. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3181255ed9.

Abstract

An association between viral infection and late-onset disease caused by group B Streptococcus (GBS), was systematically looked for in neonates hospitalized for fever during a 3 1/2 year period. Five neonates between 5 to 12.5 months of age presented with meningitis (2 cases) or with septicemia (3 cases) caused by GBS. Viral culture, immunofluorescence, and assay of IFNalpha in blood and cerebrospinal fluid were performed. A viral infection was proved in 4 cases and suspected in 1 case (rash and pharyngitis). We speculate that viral infection may provoke late-onset disease in colonized infants with GBS.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Meningitis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / isolation & purification*
  • Virus Diseases / complications*