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Stenotrophomonas maltophilia meningitis, bacteremia and respiratory infection

Evangelia Platsouka1, Christina Routsi, Anastasios Chalkis

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Medical School of Athens University, Greece.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|June 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia causes difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections due to antimicrobial resistance. This case highlights a generalized S. maltophilia infection, including meningitis, successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Neurosurgery

Background:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections.
  • Its intrinsic resistance to multiple antibiotics poses significant treatment challenges.

Observation:

  • A patient with a history of multiple neurosurgical procedures developed a generalized S. maltophilia infection.
  • The infection encompassed meningitis, bacteremia, and respiratory tract involvement.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a severe, multi-site infection caused by S. maltophilia.
  • Successful treatment was achieved using trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of recognizing S. maltophilia as a cause of severe nosocomial infections.
  • Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole remains a viable treatment option for susceptible S. maltophilia strains.
  • Effective management requires prompt diagnosis and targeted antimicrobial therapy in immunocompromised or post-surgical patients.

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