Increased risk of group B streptococcal disease in twins
M. S. Edwards, C. V. Jackson and C. J. Baker
Infants who are the product of multiple births comprise a newly defined
group of patients at increased risk for the development of invasive, group
B streptococcal infection. This report summarizes the clinical and
bacteriological features of 11 sets of twins and one set of triplets in
which one (nine sets) or more (three sets) infants had proved early- or
late-onset group B streptococcal infection. Reasons for the enhanced
susceptability of index patients and their siblings are discussed. On the
basis of these observations, an emperical approach is proposed for the
treatment of the apparently noninvolved sibling of a twin with invasive
group B streptococcal infection.
