Late-onset group B streptococcal infection in identical twins: insight to disease pathogenesis.
Late-onset group B streptococcal (GBS) infection affecting identical twins is described. Although exhibiting similar signs and symptoms at presentation, twin A suffered fulminant fatal meningitis while twin B recovered completely. The GBS isolates proved to be genetically identical and possessed equivalent abilities to invade and injure cells of the human blood-brain barrier in vitro. Clinical variables associated with the adverse outcome in twin A were longer duration of fever prior to antibiotics and the development of neutropenia. The case histories and experimental data are reviewed to underscore key features of GBS disease pathogenesis.
Doran
Kelly S
KS
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Benoit
Vivian M
VM
Gertz
Robert E
RE
Beall
Bernard
B
Nizet
Victor
V
D017668:Age of Onset; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000453:epidemiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic