Salmonella virchow meningitis in an adult

P Gille-Johnson1, J Kövamees, V Lindgren

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Insights

A rare case of Salmonella virchow meningitis occurred in an immunocompetent adult woman. This Salmonella meningitis was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin, marking the first reported instance for this serotype.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Salmonella meningitis is a rare but serious complication of human salmonellosis.
  • While Salmonella infections are common, invasive central nervous system disease is infrequent.
  • Certain Salmonella serotypes are more frequently associated with invasive disease.

Observation:

  • A case of meningitis caused by Salmonella virchow is presented in a woman with no signs or history of immunosuppression.
  • The patient presented with symptoms indicative of meningitis.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed the presence of Salmonella virchow.

Findings:

  • This report details the first known case of confirmed Salmonella virchow meningitis in an adult.
  • The patient, who was not immunocompromised, recovered fully.
  • Treatment with ciprofloxacin was effective in clearing the infection.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known spectrum of Salmonella serotypes capable of causing meningitis in adults.
  • It highlights the importance of considering Salmonella, even in immunocompetent individuals, when meningitis is suspected.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the specific virulence factors of Salmonella virchow and its potential for invasive disease.

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