title: Discordant Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus) gestational infection in monochorionic/diamniotic and dichorionic/diamniotic twins.
abstract: Infection due to Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B streptococcus may be acquired during parturition or gestation. Discordant twin gestational Group B streptococcus infections are rarely reported. We describe two cases of fatal discordant gestational Group B streptococcus infection in both a monochorionic/diamniotic pregnancy and in a dichorionic/diamniotic pregnancy. In both instances, cultures, examination of the placentae, and autopsy findings demonstrated infection by Group B streptococcus in only the presenting fetus. Despite the ubiquity of this organism, this is the first documented case of discordant gestational Group B streptococcus infection in monochorionic/diamniotic twins and only the third case documented in dichorionic/diamniotic twins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. jasondpimentel@live.com
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pimentel
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Szymanski
authors.forename: Linoj P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Meier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002823:Chorion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D050497:Stillbirth; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D014427:Twins