Acute neonatal parotitis caused by streptococcus pyogenes: a case report

Neonatal Parotitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Neonatal parotitis is a rare disease. Between 1970 and 2011 only 44 cases have been reported in the English literature.

METHODS

In this case report, we describe a case of neonatal parotitis caused by Group B streptococcus (GBS). Additionally, we performed a review of the recent literature. We found 18 new cases published between 2011 and 2020. These cases were analyzed together with the 44 cases published before 2011.

RESULTS

All patients presented with swelling over the parotid area, with varying degrees of local inflammation and general symptoms. Purulent discharge from the Stensen's duct was present in 85% of the patients. The swelling was usually unilateral (84%). In total 70% of the patients were male. Prematurity was reported in 29% of the cases. The most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (68%). Only 5 cases were found describing GBS as the causative pathogen in neonatal parotitis. In most of the cases treatment with intravenous antibiotics was successful, 27% of the patients needed surgical drainage. The reported outcomes were good.

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing GBS cases and non-GBS cases there seems to be a difference in presenting symptoms and pathophysiology, with GBS patients presenting without purulent discharge form the Stensen's duct and with more severe generalized symptoms. Additionally, all GBS patients had a positive blood culture, compared to 27% of the non-GBS patients, which indicates that in GBS cases the major route of parotid infection is hematogenous, compared to a retrograde flow from the oral cavity to the parotid gland in non-GBS cases.

Neonatal Parotitis: A Case Report

Introduction

Acute suppurative parotitis is a rare finding in the neonate. It is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but other bacterial isolates may be emerging. It is a novel disease for this age group and requires unique management. Only 32 cases of neonatal suppurative parotitis have been described in the English-language literature over the last 35 years.

Case Report

We describe a case of a 14-day-old male who presented to the pediatric emergency department with a 24-hour history of swelling and redness of the right cheek. On examining him, purulent material was seen inside his oral cavity. He was subsequently hospitalized with a diagnosis of neonatal suppurative parotitis and received five days of parenteral antibiotics with improvement in swelling and redness. He was discharged home with oral antibiotics.

Conclusion

Although neonatal suppurative parotitis is rare, it should be suspected in newborns presenting with an erythematous pre-auricular mass with or without any predisposing factors. We describe a rare case of acute suppurative parotitis in a neonate and review the published literature.

Group B streptococcal neonatal parotitis

Acute neonatal parotitis (ANP) is a rare condition, characterised by parotid swelling and other local inflammatory signs. The most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, but other organisms can be implicated. We describe the case of a 13-day-old term newborn, previously healthy, with late-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteraemia with ANP, who presented with irritability, reduced feeding and tender swelling of the right parotid. Laboratory evaluation showed neutrophilia, elevated C reactive protein and procalcitonin, with normal serum amylase concentration. Ultrasound findings were suggestive of acute parotitis. Empiric antibiotic therapy was immediately started and adjusted when culture results became available. The newborn was discharged after 10 days, with clinical improvement within the first 72 h. Although S. aureus is the most common pathogen implicated in ANP, GBS should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Bilateral acute neonatal suppurative parotitis: A rare finding in neonatal age

Acute suppurative parotitis is a rare entity in neonates. Bilateral involvement is extremely rare. Low birth weight, prematurity, gavage feeding, dehydration, sepsis are all known risk factors. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism, other organisms responsible for parotitis are streptococcus, E. coli, pseudomonas and klebsiella. We report a neonate suffering from bilateral acute suppurative parotitis with an unusual causative association. CPAP and its association for acute suppurative parotitis has been proposed.

Septic Arthritis caused by Group A Streptococcus in Newborn: An Unusual Presentation

Streptococcal sepsis in neonates is a potentially lethal condition. A wide spectrum of clinical presentations has been often reported in Group B Streptococcal infections in neonates. Bone and joint infections which are caused by Group B Streptococcus are also encountered frequently, but they have not yet been reported in case of Group A Streptococcal infection in neonates. Here, we are reporting a case of septic arthritis and late onset neonatal sepsis which were caused by Group A Streptococcus in a full term, healthy baby.

Neonatal suppurative parotitis over the last 4 decades: report of three new cases and review

BACKGROUND

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare disease. Only 32 cases were reported in the English-language literature between 1970 and 2004.

METHODS

We searched Medline for acute, neonatal, bacterial, suppurative, parotitis, facial, preauricular swelling starting from 1970, limiting our search to the English-language literature. We reviewed all the reported cases together with three more managed in our department.

RESULTS

We identified nine new cases since 2004. The total number of patients reviewed was 44, including our patients. Most of them were male (77%). The majority developed unilateral inflamed parotid swelling (77%) and exuded pus from the ipsilateral Stensen duct. Fever was seen in fewer than half of them (47%). Premature babies constituted a third of the patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the leading causative agent (61%). Most patients responded well to conservative treatment with antibiotics (77%). The most frequently used combination of antibiotics was an anti-staphylococcal agent with either an aminoglycoside or a third-generation cephalosporin. A minority required surgical drainage. No deaths were reported in the group studied after 1970.

CONCLUSION

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is rare but easy to diagnose and if readily treated with appropriate antibiotics the outcome is excellent.

Monolateral suppurative parotitis in a neonate and review of literature

OBJECTIVES

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition characterized by swelling, pain, and erythema over the affected gland. Antimicrobials and adequate hydration are an essential part of treatment. Surgical intervention is reserved for organized abscesses and for infections not responding to medical management.

METHODS

A case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

Only few case reports and case series are reported in literature on neonatal parotitis. Transmission of bacteria seems to occur mainly by ascending spread through Stensen's duct, or by hematogenous spread from a distant focus. Dehydration, low birth weight, immune suppression, ductal obstruction, oral trauma and structural abnormalities of the parotid gland are recognised as risk factors. The most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. Other less frequent agents are other Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli and rarely anaerobic bacteria. Advances in antimicrobial therapy have improved both outcome and prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Thanks to the prompt antibiotic treatment complications are now drastically reduced. Ultrasound examination may help in the diagnosis and monitoring of clinical course.