Which organisms are most commonly responsible for meningitis in neonates?

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Multiple Choice

Which organisms are most commonly responsible for meningitis in neonates?

In newborns, meningitis most often comes from bacteria acquired around the time of birth, so the pathogens you think of first are those that colonize the maternal birth canal. The two most common culprits are Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and Escherichia coli. Group B Streptococcus is carried in the maternal vagina and rectum and can be transmitted to the baby during labor, leading to early-onset sepsis and meningitis. Escherichia coli, particularly encapsulated strains like the K1 family, is another frequent cause of neonatal meningitis and often presents as part of neonatal sepsis as well. Other bacteria can cause meningitis in neonates, but much less commonly. Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae are typical pathogens in older infants and adults, not the neonatal period. Haemophilus influenzae used to be more common before vaccination, but now it’s rare. Listeria monocytogenes can occur, but it is not as frequent as the two main culprits above. Therefore, the combination of Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli best explains the most common causes of meningitis in neonates.

In newborns, meningitis most often comes from bacteria acquired around the time of birth, so the pathogens you think of first are those that colonize the maternal birth canal. The two most common culprits are Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and Escherichia coli. Group B Streptococcus is carried in the maternal vagina and rectum and can be transmitted to the baby during labor, leading to early-onset sepsis and meningitis. Escherichia coli, particularly encapsulated strains like the K1 family, is another frequent cause of neonatal meningitis and often presents as part of neonatal sepsis as well.

Other bacteria can cause meningitis in neonates, but much less commonly. Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae are typical pathogens in older infants and adults, not the neonatal period. Haemophilus influenzae used to be more common before vaccination, but now it’s rare. Listeria monocytogenes can occur, but it is not as frequent as the two main culprits above.

Therefore, the combination of Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli best explains the most common causes of meningitis in neonates.

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