Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
10:03
Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
Published on: November 5, 2019
Enterococcus gallinarum meningitis in an immunocompetent host: a case report
Vicente Sperb Antonello1, Francis de Moura Zenkner, Josiane França
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Summary
A rare Enterococcus gallinarum meningitis case occurred in an immunocompetent Brazilian man with alcohol abuse history. High-dose ampicillin and gentamicin effectively treated this unusual poultry-associated bacterial infection.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Neurology
- * Microbiology
Background:
- * Enterococcus gallinarum is a rare cause of human infection, typically found in poultry gastrointestinal tracts.
- * Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, can have diverse etiologies.
- * Alcohol abuse is a known risk factor for various infections, potentially compromising immune function.
Observation:
- * A 53-year-old male patient with a history of alcohol abuse presented with symptoms suggestive of meningitis.
- * Diagnostic tests confirmed Enterococcus gallinarum as the causative agent of meningitis.
- * This represents a rare instance of E. gallinarum infection in humans, particularly in an immunocompetent host.
Findings:
- * The patient received high-dose ampicillin and gentamicin, leading to clinical improvement.
- * This case is the first reported instance of E. gallinarum meningitis in Brazil.
- * It is likely the first documented case in an immunocompetent individual.
Implications:
- * Highlights the potential for E. gallinarum to cause invasive infections in humans, even in immunocompetent hosts.
- * Underscores the importance of considering unusual pathogens in meningitis cases, especially in patients with risk factors like alcohol abuse.
- * Suggests ampicillin and gentamicin as a potential effective treatment regimen for E. gallinarum meningitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:24Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...