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Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model
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Streptococcus suis infection: clinical features and diagnostic pitfalls

Kobkiat Donsakul1, Charungthai Dejthevaporn, Rawiphan Witoonpanich

  • 1Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|September 16, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) infections, primarily meningitis, were studied. Early hearing loss is a key symptom, and prompt Gram stain diagnosis aids treatment with penicillin or ampicillin, showing high effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen.
  • S. suis infections can present as meningitis or endocarditis.
  • Misidentification of S. suis is common, often confused with Streptococcus pneumoniae or viridans streptococci.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively analyze cases of S. suis infection.
  • To identify characteristic clinical features and diagnostic challenges.
  • To evaluate treatment outcomes for S. suis infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of eight S. suis infection cases from 1993-1999.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations, laboratory findings, and treatment regimens.
  • Microbiological identification and comparison with initial presumptive diagnoses.

Main Results:

  • Six cases of S. suis meningitis and two of endocarditis were identified.
  • Acute meningitis with early sensorineural hearing loss was the most common presentation.
  • S. suis was initially misidentified in five cases.
  • Gram stain of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can aid rapid diagnosis in acute meningitis with hearing loss.
  • Intravenous penicillin or ampicillin for a mean of 4 weeks was highly effective.

Conclusions:

  • S. suis meningitis is characterized by acute onset and early hearing loss.
  • Timely diagnosis, potentially aided by Gram stain, is crucial.
  • Antibiotic treatment with penicillin or ampicillin is effective, with no relapses observed.

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