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Salmonella intracerebral and subdural abscess--report of two cases

A K Mahapatra1, R Bhatia

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Insights

Rare Salmonella typhi subdural empyema occurred in an infant and an adult without typhoid fever. Prompt diagnosis via culture and appropriate therapy led to satisfactory patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Subdural empyema is a rare but serious infection of the space between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.
  • Salmonella typhi is the bacterium primarily responsible for typhoid fever, a systemic infection.

Observation:

  • Two distinct cases of Salmonella typhi subdural empyema are presented.
  • The affected individuals were an 11-month-old infant and a 25-year-old adult.
  • Neither patient exhibited symptoms of typhoid fever, complicating initial diagnosis.

Findings:

  • The causative agent, Salmonella typhi, was identified retrospectively through culture reports.
  • Both patients received appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
  • The clinical course for both patients was favorable, with satisfactory therapeutic responses.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering Salmonella typhi in non-typhoidal presentations of subdural empyema.
  • Emphasizes the diagnostic value of microbiological cultures in complex neurological infections.
  • Suggests that prompt and accurate diagnosis, even when the pathogen is unexpected, leads to effective treatment and recovery.

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