Chryseobacterium meningosepticum--an uncommon pathogen causing adult bacterial meningitis

P Padmaja1, Susan Verghese, C V Bhirmanandham

  • 1International Centre for Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Diseases, Mogappair, Chennai.

Insights

Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is a rare cause of meningitis, even in elderly patients with comorbidities. This case highlights the importance of considering unusual pathogens and antibiotic sensitivities in meningitis treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is an infrequent cause of bacterial meningitis.
  • Adult meningitis cases are less common than pediatric, especially with this pathogen.

Observation:

  • An 88-year-old woman presented with meningitis.
  • Concomitant factors included advanced age, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.
  • Chryseobacterium meningosepticum was identified in cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures.

Findings:

  • The isolated Chryseobacterium meningosepticum demonstrated susceptibility to quinolones and rifampicin.
  • The organism exhibited resistance to several antibiotics typically used for empirical meningitis treatment.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the need to consider uncommon pathogens like Chryseobacterium meningosepticum in adult meningitis.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is crucial for effective treatment, as common empiric therapies may be ineffective.
  • Understanding resistance patterns is vital for guiding clinical decisions in managing rare bacterial meningitis.

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