A very unusual organism causing stroke-like symptoms

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Eve McCann1, Mark Barber1, Pamela Hunter2

  • 1Medicine for the Elderly, Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire, UK.

Age and Ageing
|July 21, 2014
PubMed

Insights

A rare Facklamia languida infection caused stroke-like symptoms in an elderly man. Prompt antibiotic treatment led to a full recovery, highlighting the importance of considering treatable infections as stroke mimics.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Delirium and fever are common presenting symptoms in elderly patients.
  • Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, necessitating rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

  • An elderly male presented with confusion and fever, initially suspected as delirium due to infection.
  • The patient's condition worsened, exhibiting symptoms consistent with a total anterior circulation stroke.
  • Brain imaging was unremarkable, prompting further investigation into the cause of neurological deterioration.

Findings:

  • Blood cultures revealed Facklamia languida, a rare bacterial pathogen.
  • The patient was diagnosed with Facklamia languida septicemia.
  • Neurological symptoms resolved following broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, suggesting a diagnosis of seizure and Todd's paresis secondary to infection.

Implications:

  • Facklamia languida septicemia can present as a stroke mimic.
  • Infectious etiologies should be considered in patients presenting with acute neurological deficits.
  • Early identification and treatment of infections can lead to complete recovery and prevent misdiagnosis of stroke.
Keywords:
Facklamiaolder peopleseizuresepticaemiastrokestroke mimic

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