A fatal case of fulminant group: a streptococcal infection in a neonate

Background Fulminant hemolytic streptococcal infection is a condition of sudden onset and rapidly progressing septic shock caused by Streptococcus pyogenes . It causes beta (complete) hemolysis. Although type A Streptococcus occurs more frequently, all streptococci that cause beta-hemolysis are eligible as causes. This report describes a rare autopsy case of fulminant group A streptococcal infection in a neonate. Case presentation A 16-day-old girl, 3300 g, born by spontaneous delivery at 41 weeks 1 day, experienced a 1-day history of low-grade fever, malaise, and a few hours of cyanosis and anuria, prompting her parents to bring her to the hospital. Her eldest brother, who lived with her, had been infected with Streptococcus approximately one month earlier, and had been treated with ten days of antibiotics. The infant died three hours after presentation. Autopsy findings indicated her to be 52 cm in length, weighing 3585 g, with medium build and normal nutrition. Her lungs were slightly oligemic with decreased volumes. The liver and kidneys were mildly enlarged. The spleen was markedly enlarged. The adrenal glands showed diffuse cortical hemorrhage (Fig. 1). There was some thymic atrophy (thymus weight 7.4 g,