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Chronic meningitis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.
Suk Ran Kim1, Min Jung Kwon1, Jang Ho Lee1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|September 26, 2007
Summary
Bacterial meningitis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is rare, especially in the brain. This case highlights a unique recurrence of intracranial infection without a clear cause or bloodstream bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the central nervous system.
- Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is an uncommon pathogen, rarely causing meningitis.
- Intracranial Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infections are exceptionally rare, with few documented cases.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old male presented with symptoms of bacterial meningitis: headache, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis indicated bacterial meningitis.
- Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was successfully identified in cerebrospinal fluid cultures.
Findings:
- The patient received antimicrobial treatment and recovered fully without neurological deficits.
- This case represents a rare recurrence of intracranial infection by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae after many years.
- The infection occurred without an identifiable underlying cause or evidence of concurrent bacteraemia.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae as a potential cause of meningitis.
- It underscores the importance of considering rare pathogens in meningitis diagnosis, even in the absence of typical risk factors.
- Further research may be needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind recurrent and cryptogenic intracranial Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infections.
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