This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Late-onset group B streptococcal sepsis exceeds early-onset pediatric cases in Switzerland
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Cases of late-onset group B streptococcal sepsis were more prevalent than early-onset cases among pediatric hospitals in Switzerland, according to recent data in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
“The present study confirms that [group B streptococcus (GBS)] remains among the top three causes of sepsis in infants, together with Escherichia coli and coagulase-negative staphylococci,” Eric Giannoni, MD, of the neonatology department at Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, and colleagues wrote. “Our results show a strong predominance of late-onset group B streptococcal sepsis over early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis.”
The researchers examined the epidemiology of sepsis cases in children aged younger than 1 year from all 10 of Switzerland’s pediatric hospitals from September 2011 to February 2015. Patients were diagnosed with culture-proven bacteremia, along with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The researchers estimated that the participating hospitals admitted approximately 75% of pediatric sepsis cases during the study period.
Among 539 diagnosed cases of sepsis, group B streptococcal sepsis was the third most prevalent type (14%) behind E. coli (23%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (19%).
The researchers noted that early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis was less prevalent than late-onset group B streptococcal sepsis (30% vs. 70%). Among group B streptococcal cases, four patients were diagnosed with recurrent cases, including three with two cases of late-onset sepsis and one patient with both late-onset and early-onset sepsis.
Giannoni and colleagues wrote that in their study cases of early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis were two to four times lower in incidence compared with other economically similar countries.
“Our results highlight the need for epidemiological surveillance of group B streptococcal disease, and warrant for caution when extrapolating data to other populations,” Giannoni and colleagues wrote. “Better strategies are required for the prevention of both early- and late-onset group B streptococcal disease.” – by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts