Neonatal Group A Streptococcus Meningitis. Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Group A streptococci (GAS) have previously accounted for a large portion of invasive neonatal infections, but differences in the access to medical care and in the antibiotic used over the last half century has significantly reduced such cases. A literature review reveals 17 neonatal GAS meningitis reports with positive CSF cultures since 1967, characterized by high morbidity and mortality. We present a case of a 10-day old well-appearing neonate diagnosed with GAS meningitis, exhibiting an excellent response to antimicrobial therapy. Epidemiological investigation revealed her mother as the likely source of postnatal transmission of GAS with an emm1.0 subtype. GAS meningitis is a rare cause of neonatal meningitis associated with high morbidity and mortality warranting further research assessing potential risk factors, modes of transmission, and therapeutic protocols.