A newborn has a fever of 103°F. Blood culture grows gram-positive cocci in chains. This is most likely to be which of the following?
A. GroupA Streptococci Streptococcus pyogenes.B. Group B Streptococci Streptococcus agalactiae.
C. Salmonella species
D. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Ans.
B. Group B Streptococci Streptococcus
agalactiae.
•Most
human infections caused by Streptococci involve the group A organisms
Streptococcus pyogenes. .
•The
group B Streptococci are members of the female genital tract and are important
causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis.
•They
are usually beta-hemolytic similar to group A. , hydrolyze hippurate and give a
positive response in the so-called CAMP test Christie, Atkins, Munch-Peterson.
.
•Detection
of the infection and prompt antimicrobial treatment is necessary because the
infections may become life-threatening.
•Streptococcus
pneumoniae organisms are important in meningitis cases in young children, but
are more frequently seen as diplococci forms rather than long chains.
