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[Meningitis caused by Oerskovia xanthineolytica]

Emel Yilmaz1, Cüneyt Ozakin, Melda Sinirtaş

  • 1Uludağ Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Enfeksiyon Hastaliklari ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dali, Bursa.

Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni
|June 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Oerskovia xanthineolytica rarely causes human infections. This case details a successful treatment of O. xanthineolytica meningitis in a patient with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt by removing the shunt and continuing antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Oerskovia species are rare causes of human infections, often resembling Nocardia.
  • Meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Observation:

  • A 44-year-old male with a ventriculo-peritoneal (V-P) shunt for hydrocephalus developed meningitis.
  • Oerskovia xanthineolytica was identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and V-P shunt cultures.
  • Initial empirical treatment with vancomycin and rifampin failed, with persistent positive CSF cultures.

Findings:

  • Surgical removal of the V-P shunt was performed.
  • Continued antibiotic therapy (vancomycin and rifampin) for 42 days post-shunt removal led to a complete cure.
  • This highlights the importance of device removal in managing shunt-associated infections.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for Oerskovia xanthineolytica to cause severe infections like meningitis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or those with medical devices.
  • It emphasizes the critical role of V-P shunt removal in treating shunt-associated meningitis caused by rare pathogens.
  • Successful management required a combination of surgical intervention and prolonged antimicrobial therapy, suggesting a complex treatment approach for such infections.

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