Clinical Features of Group B Streptococcus Prosthetic Joint Infections

Twelve group B Streptococcus (GBS) prosthetic joint infection (PJI) cases are reported. The mean patient age was 55 years. Eleven infections were caused by GBS alone. The associated isolates belonged to phylogenetic lineages different from those that cause neonatal meningitis. The clinical outcome was favorable for the eight patients for whom follow-up data were available. Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is associated with significant morbidity and requires early diagnosis and appropriate treat-ment (2). Gram-positive cocci, particularly Staphylococcus au-reus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, cause approximately 65% of PJI cases (17). However, some cases of PJI are caused by bacteria of genitourinary and/or gastrointestinal origin. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important pathogens in newborns and pregnant women and is also a pathogen in nonpregnant adults with underlying medical dis-eases and the elderly (6). Several types of GBS osteoarticular infections have been reported, such as septic arthritis, osteo