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First adult case of Helicobacter cinaedi meningitis

Atsuhiko Sugiyama1, Masahiro Mori1, Naruhiko Ishiwada2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|October 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Helicobacter cinaedi, a bacterium, can cause meningitis in healthy adults, not just immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights potential animal-to-human transmission, even from pets like kittens.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Helicobacter cinaedi is a gram-negative bacterium typically found in animal intestines, linked to human gastroenteritis.
  • Infections are more common in immunocompromised individuals, with rare occurrences in immunocompetent hosts.
  • Animal contact is a suspected transmission route for H. cinaedi.

Observation:

  • A case of meningitis is presented in an immunocompetent 34-year-old woman with recent close contact with a kitten.
  • The patient experienced classic meningitis symptoms including headache, fever, chills, and neck stiffness.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed inflammation and low glucose, but initial cultures were negative.

Findings:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed H. cinaedi as the causative agent in the cerebrospinal fluid.
  • This represents the first reported adult case of meningitis due to H. cinaedi.
  • The bacterium was identified despite negative blood and CSF cultures.

Implications:

  • H. cinaedi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in immunocompetent adults.
  • This case underscores the potential for zoonotic transmission of H. cinaedi to humans.
  • Further research is needed to understand the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of H. cinaedi infections in healthy individuals.
Keywords:
AdultBacteriumHelicobacter cinaediMeningitisTreatmentZoonosis

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