Group B streptococcal meningitis in adults

Medicine (Baltimore). 1993 Jan;72(1):1-10. doi: 10.1097/00005792-199301000-00001.

Abstract

Group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis is a frequent entity in neonates but an uncommon cause of meningitis in adults. Retrospective analysis at our institution identified 4 adult cases over the last 25 years; an additional 46 cases from the literature were reviewed. A bimodal age distribution paralleling that seen in other severe GBS infections was observed. Clinical presentation was not unlike meningitis due to other pyogenic organisms, although a higher percentage of patients presented with less than 24 hours of symptoms. Forty-three percent of patients had no underlying illnesses. Concomitant bacteremia was present in 83% of patients. The overall mortality was 27% and was limited exclusively to patients with co-morbid illnesses. Meningitis in adults due to GBS should be considered in the immunocompetent as well as the immunocompromised host.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Meningitis, Bacterial* / drug therapy
  • Meningitis, Bacterial* / microbiology
  • Meningitis, Bacterial* / mortality
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Streptococcal Infections* / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / mortality
  • Streptococcus agalactiae*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents