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Cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection due to Gemella haemolysans

William B Lo1, Mitul Patel, Guirish A Solanki

  • 1Departments of Neurosurgery, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. williamlo@doctors.org.uk

Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics
|December 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Gemella haemolysans, typically a harmless commensal, rarely causes opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infections. This case highlights the first CNS infection linked to a shunt implant, emphasizing diagnostic challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Gemella haemolysans is generally a commensal bacterium of the human upper respiratory tract.
  • Opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by G. haemolysans are exceptionally rare.
  • Variable Gram staining properties of G. haemolysans can complicate diagnosis.

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