Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

[Bacterial meningitis as a complication of Fusobacterium necroforum infection in adults]

C Spitzer1, H Foltys, S W Lemmen

  • 1Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen. christoph.spitzer@post.rwth-aachen.de

Der Nervenarzt
|December 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Fusobacterium necrophorum, a bacterium normally found in the throat, can cause meningitis in adults. Prompt identification and treatment with antibiotics like meropenem and metronidazole are crucial for recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Fusobacterium necrophorum is an anaerobic, gram-negative bacterium part of the oropharyngeal flora.
  • It is known to cause Lemierre's syndrome, a severe condition involving neck thrombophlebitis and metastatic abscesses.
  • While rare, F. necrophorum can cause meningitis, predominantly in children.

Observation:

  • A case of a 25-year-old woman with F. necrophorum meningitis is presented.
  • The patient initially exhibited an incomplete right third nerve palsy.
  • Symptoms progressed to include fever, meningism, and decreased vigilance.

Findings:

  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed bacterial meningitis.
  • Identification of F. necrophorum led to a change in antibiotic treatment to meropenem.
  • Addition of metronidazole was necessary due to persistent cerebrospinal fluid inflammation.

Implications:

  • This case highlights F. necrophorum as a potential cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.
  • Early recognition and appropriate antibiotic therapy are vital for managing F. necrophorum meningitis.
  • The findings emphasize the importance of including F. necrophorum in the differential diagnosis for adult meningitis.

More Related Videos

Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells10:12

Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 14, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...