title: Group B streptococcal meningitis in adults.
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.
authors.affiliation: Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Quagliarello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents