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Group-A-streptococcal meningitis in a 7-year-old child--a rare pathogen in a non-immune compromised patient

Leonarda Maria L M van Zitteren1, Niek L A Arents, Feico Halbertsma

  • 1Pediatrics Department, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, Netherlands.

BMJ Case Reports
|June 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) meningitis is rare but serious in children, causing significant illness and death. Early antibiotic treatment and searching for infection sources are crucial, with follow-up care essential.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a rare but severe cause of bacterial meningitis in children.
  • GAS meningitis presents a high morbidity (46%) and mortality (10%) rate.

Observation:

  • A case of meningitis in a 7-year-old female child caused by GAS is presented.
  • GAS meningitis is frequently linked to ear-nose-throat (ENT) infections, suggesting a need to identify the infection reservoir.
  • Bacterial typing often reveals M-protein gene sequence type (EMM type) 1.0, common in upper respiratory tract infections and invasive GAS disease.

Findings:

  • GAS meningitis is uncommon but associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.
  • GAS is susceptible to empiric antibiotic therapies commonly used for meningitis.
  • EMM type 1.0 is frequently identified in severe, invasive GAS infections, including meningitis.

Implications:

  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment of GAS meningitis are vital.
  • Investigating potential GAS reservoirs, particularly ENT infections, is recommended.
  • Comprehensive follow-up, including neurological and audiological assessments, is necessary for affected children.

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