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Enterococcus faecalis: an unusual cause of meningitis in HIV-infected patients
Anjali Sharma1, Mimi S Mong, Grace Minamoto
1Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
The AIDS Reader
|January 11, 2003
Abstract:
A case of a severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected man with meningitis caused by Enterococcus faecalis is presented. E faecalis is a distinctly unusual cause of bacterial meningitis in patients with HIV infection and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of purulent meningitis in such patients to ensure optimal empiric treatment.
Insights
Enterococcus faecalis meningitis is rare in HIV patients. This case highlights the need to consider E. faecalis in the differential diagnosis for purulent meningitis in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the central nervous system.
- Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection are susceptible to opportunistic infections due to immunosuppression.
- Enterococcus faecalis is a common bacterium, but an infrequent cause of meningitis.
Observation:
- A severely immunosuppressed, HIV-infected male presented with symptoms of meningitis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed meningitis caused by Enterococcus faecalis.
Findings:
- Enterococcus faecalis is an uncommon pathogen responsible for bacterial meningitis, particularly in the context of HIV.
- The case underscores the importance of considering E. faecalis in the differential diagnosis of meningitis in immunocompromised patients.
Implications:
- Early and accurate diagnosis of E. faecalis meningitis is crucial for appropriate treatment.
- Optimal empiric antibiotic selection should consider E. faecalis in severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected patients presenting with meningitis.
- This case contributes to understanding the spectrum of opportunistic infections in advanced HIV disease.