What are common pathogens that cause meningitis in newborns?

The choice of Group B Streptococcus and E. coli as common pathogens that cause meningitis in newborns is correct due to the well-documented association of these bacteria with early-onset and late-onset meningitis in this vulnerable population.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of meningitis in infants, particularly within the first week of life, which is known as early-onset disease. GBS can be transmitted from the mother to the child during delivery if the mother is colonized with the bacteria. E. coli, especially strains that are part of the K1 serotype, also plays a significant role in neonatal meningitis. This organism may be acquired from the mother’s gastrointestinal flora or can be a result of ascending infection during pregnancy.

Other pathogens listed in the multiple-choice question, such as Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria, are more commonly associated with meningitis in different age groups. Pneumococcus and Neisseria are also more prevalent in older infants and children rather than in newborns. Staphylococcus is not typically a primary pathogen for meningitis in infants. Hence, the identification of Group B Streptococcus and E. coli as key pathogens for neonatal meningitis aligns