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Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus meningitis complicated by venous sinus thrombosis: A case report
Martin Wardle1, Andre Mu2, Steven Y C Tong3
1Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract:
A case of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus meningitis, unusually occurring in a splenectomized patient and complicated by cerebral venous thrombosis, is described. Following presentation with meningism and diagnosis and management of S. gallolyticus meningitis, the patient presented again with a further 4days of fevers and subsequently developed left-sided paresthesias. Cerebral imaging revealed a venous thrombus in the right frontal cortical veins and left sigmoid sinus. The patient recovered following 4 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone and anticoagulation with enoxaparin and then warfarin. Apart from the splenectomy, no underlying cause was found. The patient was commenced on life-long prophylactic amoxicillin, given appropriate vaccinations, and anticoagulated with warfarin. After initial difficulties, identification of the causative organism to the subspecies level was confirmed by analysis of short-read whole genome sequencing data. This case demonstrates two features that have not previously been reported for S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus infections: splenectomy as a potential risk factor and that infection may be complicated by cerebral venous thrombosis. The resolution provided by whole genome sequencing was valuable in accurately identifying the bacterial subspecies.
Insights
This case report details a rare instance of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus meningitis in a splenectomized patient, complicated by cerebral venous thrombosis. Whole genome sequencing aided in identifying the subspecies and highlighted splenectomy as a potential risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus is a recognized cause of meningitis.
- Splenectomy is a known risk factor for certain bacterial infections.
- Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a serious neurological complication.
Observation:
- A splenectomized patient presented with meningitis caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus.
- The patient subsequently developed symptoms consistent with cerebral venous thrombosis.
- Cerebral imaging confirmed venous thrombosis in the right frontal cortical veins and left sigmoid sinus.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus meningitis in a splenectomized individual.
- Cerebral venous thrombosis is identified as a novel complication of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus infection.
- Short-read whole genome sequencing was crucial for accurate subspecies identification.
Implications:
- Splenectomy should be considered a potential risk factor for Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus meningitis.
- Clinicians should be vigilant for cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus meningitis, especially those who are asplenic.
- Accurate identification of bacterial subspecies using genomic methods can inform clinical management and risk assessment.
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