Group B β-hemolytic streptococci have gained much attention in recent years as a cause of serious infection in the newborn. Two clinical syndromes have been defined as "early onset" fulminant septicemia and a "late onset" meningitis.1,2 Howard and McCracken,3 more recently, have documented some previously unrecognized clinical presentations of group B streptococcal disease. These include asymptomatic bacteremia, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, ethmoiditis with orbital cellulitis, pneumonia with empyema, facial cellulitis, and conjunctivitis. The literature to date reports five instances of osteomyelitis due to group B streptococci as reported in four articles.3-6 This case report of group B streptococcal osteomyelitis is presented to emphasize the insidious nature of this infection in a neonate and the lack of systemic toxicity with which it occurs.
Case Report and Literature Review of Late-Onset Group B Streptococcal Disease Manifesting as Necrotizing Fasciitis in Preterm Infants: Is This a New Syndrome?
