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Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
14:59

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

Published on: October 14, 2022

Meningitis caused by Enterococcus gallinarum in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts

Yoko Takayama1, Keisuke Sunakawa, Tohru Akahoshi

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Sagamihara, 228-8555 Kanagawa, Japan. yoko@med.kitasato-u.ac.jp

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy : Official Journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy
|December 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Two Japanese patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts developed meningitis from vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum. Treatment involved shunt removal and antibiotics, leading to apparent recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroscience
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are increasingly recognized as critical healthcare-associated pathogens.
  • Enterococcus gallinarum, a VRE species, can cause serious infections, including those affecting the central nervous system.

Observation:

  • This report details two cases in Japan involving a 57-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy, both with hydrocephalus treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
  • Both patients developed meningitis specifically caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum.

Findings:

  • The central nervous system infections were potentially linked to Enterococcus gallinarum originating from the patients' gastrointestinal tracts.
  • Successful management included the surgical removal of the ventriculoperitoneal shunts and administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapies.
  • Both patients demonstrated apparent clinical improvement following the interventions.

Implications:

  • These cases highlight the potential for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum to cause meningitis in patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunts.
  • Understanding the risk factors and effective management strategies for VRE meningitis is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
  • Further research into VRE pathogenesis and treatment is warranted, particularly in neurosurgical patients.

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