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[Meningitis and brain abscess caused by Streptococcus intermedius in a patient infected with HIV-1]

M Vallalta Morales1, E Solaz Moreno, J Lacruz Rodrigo

  • 1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia. mvallalta@hotmail.com

Anales De Medicina Interna (Madrid, Spain : 1984)
|July 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus intermedius can cause brain abscess and meningitis, even in patients with HIV-1 infection. This case highlights a rare presentation of bacterial meningitis secondary to brain abscess in an immunocompromised individual.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • The Streptococcus milleri group are known pathogens causing abscesses.
  • Bacterial meningitis in adults is rarely caused by streptococci other than Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Brain abscesses are focal collections in the brain parenchyma, often stemming from infections.

Observation:

  • Microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria are common causes of brain abscesses.
  • Intracranial infections are reported in HIV-infected patients, but bacterial brain abscesses are rare.
  • Toxoplasma gondii is the most common pathogen isolated from brain biopsies in HIV patients.

Findings:

  • This case report details a patient with HIV-1 infection presenting with streptococcal meningitis.
  • The meningitis was secondary to a brain abscess caused by Streptococcus intermedius.
  • This highlights a rare instance of common bacterial pathogens causing brain abscess and meningitis in an HIV-infected patient.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering common bacterial pathogens in the differential diagnosis of brain abscess and meningitis, even in immunocompromised patients.
  • It emphasizes the need for thorough investigation to identify the underlying cause of neurological symptoms in HIV-infected individuals.
  • Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms and risk factors contributing to such rare presentations.

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