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Caulobacter spp: A Rare Pathogen Responsible for Paucisintomatic Persisitant Meningitis in a Glioblastoma Patient
Federica Penner1, Silvia Brossa2, Anna Maria Barbui2
1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
Background:
Caulobacter spp. are Gram-negative bacteria that have rarely been found to be pathogenic in humans.
Case Description:
This report describes the first case, to our knowledge, of meningitis in an adult patient caused by Caulobacter spp. A 75-year-old man was operated for a glioblastoma with no evident signs of primary infection in the wound site. Eight days after surgery, the patient developed signs and symptoms of meningitis. Caulobacter was then isolated on 3 separate occasions in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid. Thereafter, specific antibiotic therapy began. After 2 weeks of therapy, the patient was discharged with complete resolution of any related symptoms.
Conclusions:
Caulobacter spp. can cause adult meningitis even where there is no evidence of surgical site infection.
Insights
Caulobacter species, typically non-pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, can cause meningitis in adults. This case report details a successful antibiotic treatment for a patient with Caulobacter meningitis post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Caulobacter species are Gram-negative bacteria rarely associated with human pathogenicity.
- This study focuses on an unusual case of adult meningitis attributed to Caulobacter spp.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old male patient developed meningitis symptoms eight days after glioblastoma surgery.
- Caulobacter species were repeatedly isolated from the patient's cerebrospinal fluid.
- The patient had no apparent signs of surgical site infection.
Findings:
- This represents the first reported case of adult meningitis caused by Caulobacter species.
- Prompt antibiotic therapy led to complete resolution of meningitis symptoms.
- Caulobacter meningitis can occur without evidence of a primary surgical site infection.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for Caulobacter species to act as opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised or post-surgical patients.
- Suggests the need for broader diagnostic considerations in cases of adult meningitis, especially post-neurosurgery.
- Emphasizes the importance of timely and appropriate antibiotic treatment for successful patient outcomes.
