Acute meningitis as an initial manifestation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae endocarditis

Eun-Jeong Joo1, Cheol-In Kang, Wook Sung Kim

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea.

Insights

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, a rare cause of bloodstream infections, can lead to infective endocarditis. This case highlights community-acquired meningitis as an unusual initial presentation of E. rhusiopathiae endocarditis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a globally distributed gram-positive bacillus.
  • While bloodstream infections are infrequent, E. rhusiopathiae bacteremia is strongly linked to infective endocarditis.
  • Human infection risk correlates with exposure opportunities.

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