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A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
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Transverse myelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus may occur without contiguous spread
M Saini1, K Prasad2, L M Ling3
1Department of General Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
Spinal Cord
|August 2, 2014
Summary
This case report highlights staphylococcal transverse myelitis, a rare spinal cord inflammation caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The study emphasizes that bacterial myelitis can occur without an identifiable infection source.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute transverse myelitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the spinal cord.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial pathogen, but its association with isolated myelitis is infrequent.
Observation:
- A 79-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of infectious myelitis, including fever and cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities.
- Cultures confirmed Staphylococcus aureus as the causative agent.
- Extensive investigations failed to identify a primary infection site.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with staphylococcal transverse myelitis.
- Despite antibiotic treatment, neurological recovery was limited.
- This case demonstrates that bacterial myelitis can present without a clear contiguous or systemic source.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider bacterial myelitis even when no obvious source of infection is found.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for managing bacterial myelitis.
- This case expands the understanding of Staphylococcus aureus as a cause of isolated neurological infections.
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