Meningitis secondary to β-hemolytic group B streptococcus is rare and represents less
than 1% of cases of adult meningitis. We report the first known case of maternal mortality
attributed to β-hemolytic group B streptococcal meningitis. A 23-year-old African-American
woman with a benign prenatal course delivered a viable male infant at term. Labor
was complicated by thick meconium for which a saline amnioinfusion was utilized. On
postpartum Day 1, the patient complained of right hip pain and a headache. Within
12 hr the patient was comatose with fixed and dilated pupils. Life support measures
were discontinued secondary to absence of electrocortical activity. Postmortem examination
revealed endomyometritis and fulminant meningitis with gram-positive cocci. Placental
histologic sections demonstrated acute chorioamnionitis and bateriological cultures
noted β-hemolytic group B streptococcus. The virulence of β-hemolytic group B streptococcus
in the neonate is well recognized. This case demonstrates that β-hemolytic group B
streptococcus is also a potentially fatal maternal pathogen.
β-hemolytic group B streptococcus - maternal meningitis - maternal mortality
