The microbiological characteristics of group B streptococcus at Japanese pediatric hospitals

• Published in: Research and reports in neonatology Vol. 6; pp. 51 - 54
• Main Authors: Furuichi, Mihoko, Goto, Kaoru, Tetsuka, Nobuyuki, Ishida, Katsushi, Miyairi, Isao, Cho, Yoshiaki, Kasai, Masashi, Kurahashi, Yukiya, Akeda, Hideki, Horikoshi, Yuho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Macclesfield Dove Medical Press Limited 01-01-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Bacterial infections; Births; Children; Children & youth; Children's hospitals; Childrens health; Epidemiology; GBS; Health aspects; Hospitals; Infants; Infection; Infections; Infectious diseases; Laboratories; Meningitis; MIC; Necrotizing fasciitis; Pediatrics; Penicillin; Pneumonia; Sepsis; Serotypes; Streptococcus infections; Surveillance; Urine; Womens health; Netherlands; United States > US; Japan; Okinawa
• ISSN: 1179-9935; 1179-9935
• DOI: 10.2147/RRN.S117848

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants. Non-penicillin-susceptible GBS strains have been reported among adults, but little is known among children. We collected GBS isolates from 4 children’s hospitals in Japan, and performed serotyping of GBS strains and reviewed penicillin minimum inhibitory concentrations of GBS strains from both sterile and non-sterile sites. Our examination revealed 235 isolates including 41 isolates from SBIs and 194 isolates from colonization. Nine cases of GBS SBIs (21.9%) were early-onset, 19 (46.3%) were late-onset, and 13 (31.7%) were ultra-late-onset. Non-penicillin-susceptible GBS strains were not detected among either isolates. Serotypes Ia, Ib, and III were predominant among SBIs. In conclusion, at this time, we have no non-penicillin-susceptible GBS strains in Japanese children. Penicillin susceptibility should continue to be monitored carefully in each geographic area.