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Early-Onset Neonatal Meningitis Caused by an Unusual Pathogen-Moraxella catarrhalis
Shraddha Siwakoti1, Sohani Bajracharya2, Neetu Adhikaree2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.
Introduction:
Moraxella catarrhalis are part of the normal flora of the human respiratory tract and are known to have low pathogenic potential. The organism is rarely reported in the literature as the causative agent of meningitis. We report the first case of early-onset neonatal meningitis associated with M. catarrhalis from Nepal.
Case Report:
A 3-day-old baby with fever and yellowish discolouration of the body since 48 hrs was admitted to the neonatal ward. The baby developed 3 episodes of seizures in the form of uprolling of eyes on the first day of admission during phototherapy course for raised serum bilirubin. Sepsis screen was positive, and meningitis was confirmed as the cerebrospinal fluid culture grew M. catarrhalis. Cranial ultrasound scan was normal. The baby received a 21-day course of intravenous cefotaxime and amikacin. Recovery has been uneventful to date.
Conclusion:
Neonatal meningitis is a life-threatening infection. This case report presents an uncommon aetiology of neonatal meningitis which can be misidentified in the diagnostic bacteriology laboratory in resource constraints area like ours.
Insights
This case report details the first instance of early-onset neonatal meningitis caused by Moraxella catarrhalis in Nepal. This finding highlights an uncommon cause of neonatal meningitis, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infectious diseases
- Bacteriology
- Clinical microbiology
Background:
- Moraxella catarrhalis is typically commensal in the human respiratory tract with low pathogenicity.
- M. catarrhalis is an infrequent cause of meningitis in any age group.
- Neonatal meningitis is a severe infection with significant morbidity and mortality.
Observation:
- A 3-day-old neonate presented with fever, jaundice, and seizures.
- The infant was diagnosed with sepsis and confirmed meningitis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid culture identified Moraxella catarrhalis as the causative agent.
Findings:
- The neonate received a 21-day course of intravenous cefotaxime and amikacin.
- Cranial ultrasound revealed no abnormalities.
- The infant experienced an uneventful recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights M. catarrhalis as a rare but potential cause of neonatal meningitis.
- Accurate identification of M. catarrhalis is crucial, especially in resource-limited laboratories where it may be misidentified.
- Awareness of this etiology is important for timely diagnosis and appropriate management of neonatal meningitis.
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