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Streptococcus zooepidemicus meningitis and bacteraemia

Onur Ural1, Inci Tuncer, Nebahat Dikici

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Meram Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. onururalmail@yahoo.com

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 20, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Group C streptococci, like Streptococcus zooepidemicus, can cause rare human meningitis. This case highlights a fatal outcome in an elderly man with horse contact, underscoring zoonotic risks.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Human Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Group C streptococci are significant causes of animal infections.
  • Human infections, particularly meningitis, are rare but serious.
  • Streptococcus zooepidemicus is a specific species within Group C.

Observation:

  • A case report of a 75-year-old man diagnosed with meningitis.
  • The causative agent was identified as group C streptococcus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus).
  • The patient had significant and frequent contact with horses, suggesting a potential zoonotic source.

Findings:

  • Meningitis caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus occurred in an elderly male patient.
  • Despite treatment with a third-generation cephalosporin, a potent antibiotic, the patient's outcome was fatal.
  • The close contact with horses points to a possible transmission route from animals to humans.

Implications:

  • This case emphasizes the potential for zoonotic transmission of Streptococcus zooepidemicus to humans.
  • It highlights the severity of Streptococcus zooepidemicus meningitis, even with appropriate antibiotic therapy.
  • Further research into the epidemiology and treatment of Streptococcus zooepidemicus infections in both animals and humans is warranted.

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