Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

Characterizing Salmonella Typhimurium-induced Septic Peritonitis in Mice
Published on: July 29, 2022
Salmonella enteritidis ventriculitis
A J Johan1, L C Hung, O Norlijah
1Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor. johan@medic.upm.edu.my
Abstract:
Salmonella sp are important causes of meningitis among neonates and young children in Malaysia. We present a case of Salmonella enteritidis meningitis in a six week old female who presented with a one week history of fever, diarrhea and seizures which was unsuccessfully treated with a third generation cephalosporin. She had a relapse of meningitis complicated with ventriculitis and hydrocephalus, requiring an eleven week course of meropenem. She improved clinically, but did not have improvement in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose level despite prolonged antibiotic use. This case illustrates the dilemma in determining the duration of antibiotic needed to successfully treat Salmonella enteritidis ventriculitis.
Insights
Salmonella meningitis in Malaysian infants can relapse, even after prolonged antibiotic treatment. This case highlights challenges in treating ventriculitis and determining optimal antibiotic duration for Salmonella enteritidis infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Neonatal Neurology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Salmonella species are a significant cause of meningitis in neonates and young children, particularly in Malaysia.
- Bacterial meningitis in infants requires prompt and effective antimicrobial therapy.
Observation:
- A six-week-old female infant presented with Salmonella enteritidis meningitis, initially treated unsuccessfully with a third-generation cephalosporin.
- The patient experienced a relapse of meningitis, complicated by ventriculitis and hydrocephalus, necessitating an extended eleven-week course of meropenem.
Findings:
- Clinical improvement was observed with meropenem, but cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose levels remained persistently low.
- The lack of CSF glucose normalization despite prolonged meropenem treatment indicates potential challenges in eradicating Salmonella enteritidis ventriculitis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas in managing recurrent Salmonella meningitis and ventriculitis in neonates.
- Determining the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for Salmonella enteritidis ventriculitis remains a clinical challenge, potentially impacting long-term neurological outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Reservoir of Infection
Viral Meningitis
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Cholera
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

