Streptococcal septic shock after inguinal lymphadenectomy.

BACKGROUND

Group B Streptococcus is an uncommon cause of sepsis in the non-pregnant adult.

METHODS

Case report and review of the pertinent English-language literature.

RESULTS

A woman who developed confusion and slurred speech five days after aspiration of a postoperative wound seroma is presented. The patient had hypotension and fever and required emergency drainage of an infected seroma of the groin. Wound culture identified Streptococcus agalactiae as the infecting agent.

CONCLUSION

Life-threatening sepsis caused by group B streptococci in adults is rare, but the organism must be considered as a potential pathogen in fulminating surgical site infection.