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Group B Strep in Adults — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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EasyInfection Prevention & ControlGroup B Strep in AdultsSCE Infectious Diseases

A 55-year-old man with diabetes develops a foot wound infection with surrounding cellulitis. Wound swab grows Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae). What is a key clinical feature of Group B Streptococcal soft tissue infections in adults?

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Correct answer: C — GBS soft tissue infections in adults are strongly associated with diabetes mellitus — diabetes is the most important adult risk factor for invasive GBS disease

While GBS (S. agalactiae) is best known for neonatal sepsis and meningitis, it is an increasingly important cause of invasive infections in adults, particularly: diabetics (skin/soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis), the elderly, and patients with liver disease or malignancy. Diabetes is the single most important adult risk factor. GBS remains universally penicillin-susceptible — IV Benzylpenicillin or Amoxicillin is the treatment of choice. Clindamycin resistance is present in ~15–30% of isolates (important for penicillin-allergic patients — susceptibility must be confirmed).

Reference: UKHSA 2024 – GBS guidance; NICE NG141 2019 – SSTI