Recurrence of group B streptococcal infections in infants: a systematic review

Group-B Streptococcus(GBS) infections may rarely recur after antibiotic treatment. We aimed to fill existing gaps on epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of GBS recurrences.
A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was conducted, covering the period until 1 July 2024. The demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of infants withGBS recurrence were analyzed. Recurrence was defined as > 1 episode of invasiveGBS infection (positive blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture), occurring after the completion of treatment for the initial episode.
Among the 213 recurrences, 146 reported individual data and were included in the analysis. GBS recurrences developed shortly after the completion of antibiotic treatment for the initial infection (median = 10 days 95%CI 6.0–18.8). Most infants were preterm (63.5%) and had received an adequately long course of antibiotics for the initial infection (median = 13 days, 95%CI 10–14). Serotype III waspredominant. Breast milk yielded GBS in most samples cultured (41/62, 66%); 5/15 (33%) infants who discontinued breastfeeding after recurrence had further GBS recurrence. Case fatalities were 3.7%.
Preterm birth is closely associated with GBS recurrences. Adequately long courses of antibiotics or withdrawal of breast milk may not be useful measures to prevent recurrences.