Recurrent group B streptococcus infection in an extremely premature infant: as a preterm neonate, infant and toddler

Abstract

We report five discrete episodes of group B streptococcus (GBS) bacteraemia in an extremely premature infant, extending into early childhood. The first four episodes occurred during infancy despite appropriate treatment. Breastmilk was positive for group B streptococcal 16S DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The fifth episode occurred at 17 months of age, shortly after stopping antimicrobial prophylaxis.Radiological investigations did not identify a focus for recurrence of GBS bacteraemia, and immunological investigations and targeted whole genome sequencing yielded only transient hypogammaglobulinaemia of infancy, which resolved.This case highlights invasive GBS infection as a cause of infant morbidity. Premature infants are at particular risk of invasive as well as recurrent disease. GBS is typically a sensitive organism and each episode of GBS in our patient was effectively treated with penicillin. The role of breastmilk in recurrent GBS is controversial; in this case infant and mother isolated identical GBS serotypes and were concurrently treated with rifampicin.