Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004723. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Streptococcus canis (S. canis), belonging to β-hemolytic group G streptococci, is increasingly reported to cause sepsis and severe infections in adults with comorbidities but is rarely reported in children.
METHODS: We describe a case of S. canis neonatal sepsis in a term infant with a rapidly fatal outcome. We reviewed the literature on neonatal infections due to all group G streptococci including S. canis.
RESULTS: We identified 10 articles describing 19 cases of neonatal sepsis due to group G streptococcus, of which only 3 cases were identified at the species level. Most patients presented in the first week of life with neonatal sepsis with bacteremia present in 90% of cases. Among the patients, gestational age ranged from 31 to 42 weeks. Prematurity was reported in 35% of the patients. All patients were treated with β-lactams with or without aminoglycosides. Mortality was 26%.
CONCLUSIONS: S. canis infection is rare in the setting of neonatal sepsis; however, it can lead to high morbidity and mortality. It is imperative to promptly administer empiric antibiotics for critically ill neonates until neonatal sepsis is ruled out. β-lactams provide adequate coverage against S. canis. Further epidemiological and clinical studies focusing on S. canis are needed to fully understand the transmission and disease burden of this pathogen in neonates.
PMID:39831371 | DOI:10.1097/INF.0000000000004723
