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Globicatella sanguinis is an etiological agent of ventriculoperitoneal shunt-associated meningitis

I Seegmüller1, M van der Linden, C Heeg

  • 1German National Reference Centre for Streptococci, Institute for Medical Microbiology, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. iseegmueller@ukaachen.de

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|November 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Globicatella sanguinis is a rare bacterium causing meningitis in a patient with hydrocephalus after ventricular drainage. Prompt antibiotic treatment with ceftriaxone led to a full recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Hydrocephalus management often requires cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, such as external ventricular drainage (EVD).
  • Implantation of neurosurgical devices can pose a risk of infection, including bacterial meningitis.
  • Globicatella sanguinis is a rarely reported pathogen in clinical settings.

Observation:

  • A 69-year-old female patient developed meningitis following the implantation of an external left ventricular drainage for hydrocephalus.
  • The patient presented with clinical signs and symptoms consistent with meningitis.

Findings:

  • Cultures from the patient's cerebrospinal fluid revealed the presence of Globicatella sanguinis.
  • The isolated bacterium was identified as Globicatella sanguinis, a seldom-encountered organism in clinical meningitis cases.

Implications:

  • This case highlights Globicatella sanguinis as a potential, albeit rare, cause of meningitis post-neurosurgery.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy, such as ceftriaxone, are crucial for favorable outcomes in neurosurgical infections.
  • Further surveillance and research into Globicatella sanguinis infections are warranted to understand its pathogenicity and optimal treatment strategies.

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