Salmonella Durban meningitis: case report and genomics study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Non-typhoid Salmonella meningitis is a severe, often fatal condition, particularly prevalent in low and middle-income countries.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for managing bacterial meningitis in infants.

Observation:

• A six-month-old Belgian infant presented with symptoms initially thought to be mild but rapidly deteriorated.
• Diagnostic tests, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, confirmed bacterial meningitis.
• The causative agent was identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Durban by the National Reference Center.

Findings:

• This case represents an unusually rare serovar of Salmonella causing meningitis.
• Genomic typing revealed a connection between this Salmonella Durban strain and historical cases originating from Guinea.
• The study provides detailed clinical presentation and genomic data for this rare serovar.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering non-typhoid Salmonella in infant meningitis, even in high-income countries.
• Genomic surveillance is crucial for tracking the spread and evolution of rare bacterial pathogens.
• Understanding the origins and transmission patterns of Salmonella serovars can inform public health strategies and outbreak response.