Recurrent group B streptococcal arthritis.

Abstract

Bacterial arthritis caused by group B beta-hemolytic streptococci (GBS) is uncommonly encountered. We report a woman who had three documented isolated recurrences of GBS arthritis (right hip, right knee x 2) over a period of three years which were successfully treated. One year before the first episode, the patient was found to have squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix stage IIIB and underwent extensive combined oncological treatment. The extensive chemoradiotherapy and anatomical changes resulting from cancer of the cervix are believed to have contributed to the occurrence and recurrence of invasive group B streptococcal infection in this patient which is the first one reported with recurrent GBS arthritis.