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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.

Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo
|May 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

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.

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