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Meningitis due to Fusobacterium necrophorum in an adult

SreeNeelima Garimella1, Aparna Inaparthy, Thomas Herchline

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45409, USA. sngarimetta@hotmail.com

BMC Infectious Diseases
|August 7, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fusobacterium necrophorum meningitis is rare in adults but can be fatal. Early diagnosis and appropriate anaerobic antimicrobial coverage are crucial for better outcomes in necrobacillosis cases.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Fusobacterium necrophorum is a bacterium known to cause necrobacillosis.
  • Meningitis caused by this organism is a rare but significant cause of mortality, particularly in adults.

Observation:

  • A fatal case of meningitis caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum secondary to otitis media in an adult male is presented.
  • Diagnosis was delayed due to the organism's slow growth, and the clinical course was complicated by encephalitis and hydrocephalus.

Findings:

  • The patient did not respond to metronidazole and penicillin treatments.
  • Death occurred on day 12 due to increased intracranial pressure and brain stem infarction.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of a high clinical suspicion for diagnosing Fusobacterium necrophorum meningitis.
  • Recommendations include using anaerobic culture techniques and ensuring antimicrobial coverage for anaerobic organisms when Gram-negative bacilli are observed.

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