Group B streptococcal bacteremia in nonpregnant adults at a community teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Group B streptococcal bacteremia in nonpregnant adults continues to be a significant infection.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of nonpregnant adult patients with group B streptococcal bacteremia from 1995 to 1999 and compared the findings with data from a similar study in our institution between 1980 and 1984.

Results: There were 36 episodes of group B streptococcal bacteremia. The mean age was 70 years. Most of the cases (94%) were community-acquired. The most common underlying disease was diabetes mellitus (49%). The most common sources of group B streptococcal bacteremia were pneumonia and soft tissue infections. The overall mortality rate was 16.7%.

Conclusions: Group B streptococcal bacteremia is still found mainly in the elderly, with significant underlying disease, particularly diabetes mellitus. The spectrum of infection has included lymphadenitis, ascending cholangitis, mastitis, prostatitis, and toxic shock syndrome. The mortality has decreased significantly during the past 15 years (16.7% vs 67.9%).