Ventricular peritoneal shunt infection resulting from group B streptococcus.

OBJECTIVE: To report, to our knowledge, the first case of a ventricular peritoneal shunt infection by group B streptococcus occurring in infancy. DESIGN: Descriptive case report. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary referral military hospital. PATIENT: A 3-month-old, former preterm infant with a case of postoperative ventricular peritoneal shunt infection by group B streptococcus occurring in infancy. INTERVENTIONS: The infant's shunt infection was treated with a prolonged course of antibiotics, shunt removal, and eventual shunt replacement. He developed a persistently enlarging third ventricular region cyst, which ultimately required endoscopic surgical fenestration. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Currently, at 25 months of age, the patient has some moderate developmental delays but is otherwise healthy and making progress with no evidence of any recurrent infection CONCLUSIONS: Group B streptococcus should be considered as a potential pathogen in ventricular peritoneal shunt infections in infants even outside of the immediate neonatal period. Providers caring for infants should be especially cognizant of the potential risk for nosocomial infections in former premature neonates, especially following high-risk surgical procedures. Prompt recognition of ventricular peritoneal shunt infections and management to include early shunt removal and appropriate antibiotic coverage are recommended in an effort to optimize outcome.