A population-based assessment of invasive disease due to group B Streptococcus in nonpregnant adults.

Background. Group B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae) are a major cause of meningitis and septicemia in neonates and pregnant women, but the importance of group B streptococcal disease in nonpregnant adults has not been clearly defined. Methods. We conducted a prospective surveillance of the pathogens responsible for meningitis for a period of 24 months in 35 hospitals and a referral laboratory in metropolitan Atlanta. We reviewed the clinical and laboratory records of all the nonpregnant adults identified as having invasive group B streptococcal disease during this period. Results. During 1989 and 1990 there were 424 patients with invasive group B streptococcal disease (annual incidence, 9.2 cases per 100,000 population)