[Group B streptococcal infection in adults].

Three cases of infection with Streptococcus agalactiae, or Lancefield group B beta-haemolytic streptococcus (GBS), in adults are described and the literature is reviewed. During a period of 14 years the incidence of GBS-disease in adults aged above 15 years has increased in Denmark. The most common clinical presentations of GBS-disease in adults are puerpural fever, bacteraemia without evident focus, skin or soft-tissue infection, pneumonia, urosepsis and meningitis, preceded by a few days of influenza-like symptoms. The features of this fulminant disease include rapid development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) with renal impairment, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and, in many patients, also cardiovascular instability. The therapy includes parenteral antibiotics, usually with high doses of benzylpenicillin, and symptomatic treatment. GBS-disease in both infants and adults may be prevented by the development of effective GBS-vaccines.