Fulminant early-onset neonatal sepsis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae: Case report and review of the literature

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare cause of neonatal sepsis, and it is associated with significant morbidity and a very high fatality rate. The infection is usually acquired intrapartum, from the colonization of the maternal genital tract. Most affected neonates have an early-onset presentation of symptoms, usually within the first 48 hours after birth, which is similar to other causes of neonatal sepsis such as Streptococcus Agalactiae or Escherichia Coli. However, the virulence seems to be higher for Streptococcus pneumoniae, which has in addition a higher infant invasion/ maternal colonization ratio than Streptococcus Agalactiae. Pneumococcal vaccination has not resulted in a significant decline of neonatal cases. Many cases included ours, involved serotypes not present in the vaccine. Other strategies to protect these infants are necessary. We describe a late preterm infant with a fatal, early-onset sepsis caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae serotype 28 A. Maternal vaginal culture grew the same bacteria.