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Pasteurella multocida Bacterial Meningitis in a 33-Day-Old Infant
Trisha Slehria1, Sydney Hendricks1, Travis Honeycutt1,2
1From the Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|April 18, 2022
Summary
A rare case of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a newborn was successfully treated. This finding highlights the importance of considering this pathogen in infant meningitis cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Neonatology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection in infants.
- Pasteurella multocida is an uncommon cause of meningitis in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of Pasteurella multocida meningitis in a term infant.
- To discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of this rare condition.
Main Methods:
- A 33-day-old infant presented with fever, lethargy, and bulging fontanel.
- Lumbar puncture was performed, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures identified Pasteurella multocida.
- Empiric antibiotic treatment was initiated and tailored based on culture results.
Main Results:
- The infant was diagnosed with Pasteurella multocida meningitis.
- Intravenous ampicillin treatment was administered for 3 weeks.
- The patient recovered and was discharged for outpatient follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurella multocida can cause meningitis in healthy term infants.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- This case underscores the need to consider Pasteurella multocida in the differential diagnosis of neonatal meningitis.
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