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Meningitis due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia after a Neurosurgical Procedure

Smita Sood1, Vivek Kumar Vaid, Hemant Bhartiya

  • 1Microbiologist, Department of Laboratory Medicine, (SRL Ltd.), Fortis Escorts Hospital , Jaipur, India .

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR
|October 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia meningitis is a rare but serious infection in children, especially after neurosurgery. This case highlights the challenges in treating this difficult-to-manage bacterial infection.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen increasingly associated with severe hospital-acquired infections.
  • This bacterium exhibits significant intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment strategies.
  • Meningitis caused by S. maltophilia is uncommon, with limited clinical experience and data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of S. maltophilia meningitis in a pediatric patient following neurosurgery.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by this infection in immunocompromised or post-operative patients.

Main Methods:

  • Case report detailing a six-month-old male child.
  • Review of clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment course.
  • Literature review on S. maltophilia meningitis in pediatric populations.

Main Results:

  • The patient developed S. maltophilia meningitis post-neurosurgical procedure.
  • Treatment was complicated by the bacterium's antibiotic resistance profile.
  • Successful management required careful selection of antimicrobial agents.

Conclusions:

  • S. maltophilia meningitis is a rare but critical complication in pediatric patients undergoing neurosurgery.
  • Early recognition and appropriate, often multi-drug, antibiotic therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to establish optimal treatment guidelines for invasive S. maltophilia infections.
Keywords:
MeningitisNeurosurgeryStenotrophomonas maltophilia

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