Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus bacteremia in a mother-child binomial

Abstract

Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is a Gram-positive, β-hemolytic coccus considered part of the commensal flora in horses and an opportunistic pathogen in other animals. Infection in humans is rare, but it usually manifests as serious symptoms, it has been associated with contact with animals, especially horses, and the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. In this report we describe a case of bacteremia of the mother-child binomial by this agent, associated with the consumption of artisan cheeses. Although penicillin is the treatment of choice, the newborn was successfully treated with ampicillin and the mother with ceftriaxone, none of them presented complications associated with bacteremia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of connatal infection by this agent.