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Haemophilus paraphrophilus frontal lobe abscess: case report
A K Pajeau1, P K Yu, M J Ebersold
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Neurosurgery
|November 1, 1988
Summary
A rare cerebral abscess caused by Haemophilus paraphrophilus occurred in a healthy man. Prompt antibiotic treatment and abscess removal led to successful recovery, with a probable oral source linked to recent dental work.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cerebral abscesses are serious infections of the brain.
- Haemophilus paraphrophilus is a bacterium typically found in the oral cavity.
- Infections from oral bacteria can spread to the central nervous system.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old, otherwise healthy male presented with symptoms of a cerebral abscess.
- The patient had undergone dental manipulations two weeks prior to symptom onset.
- No cardiac abnormalities were noted, and the infection source was not definitively identified.
Findings:
- The cerebral abscess was confirmed to be caused by Haemophilus paraphrophilus.
- An oral source, likely related to dental procedures, was considered the probable origin.
- Successful treatment involved surgical drainage of the abscess and antibiotic therapy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for Haemophilus paraphrophilus to cause severe neurological infections.
- Dental procedures may represent a risk factor for brain abscesses in susceptible individuals.
- Effective management requires a combination of surgical intervention and targeted antimicrobial treatment.
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