Invasive Bacteria

Invasive bacteria are pathogens that can invade parts of the body where bacteria are not normally present, such as the bloodstream, soft tissues like muscle or fat, and the meninges (the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord).

General Information

Invasive bacteria are often associated with diseases such as sepsis (bloodstream infection) and meningitis (inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord). Invasive bacteria that are of public health importance in Wisconsin and the United States include:

• Group A streptococcal infections (GAS)
• Group B streptococcal infections (GBS)
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (CDC)
• CDC Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) Program

Provider Information