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Salmonella meningitis. Occurrence in an adult
Abstract:
Salmonella meningitis is predominantly a disease of infants. An adult patient is described who had meningitis due to S typhimurium following a traumatic fracture of the first lumbar vertebra. A review of previous cases of Salmonella meningitis in adults revealed a predominance of infection due to S typhi prior to 1940 with a variety of other serotypes isolated since then. Only one of nine patients survived prior to the antibiotic era, but three of five patients with Salmonella meningitis since 1940 have survived.
Insights
Salmonella meningitis, typically affecting infants, can occur in adults, often linked to spinal trauma. Survival rates have improved since the antibiotic era, highlighting advances in treating this serious infection.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Salmonella meningitis is a rare but severe infection, primarily documented in infants.
- Adult cases are infrequent and often associated with specific risk factors or underlying conditions.
Observation:
- This report details an adult patient diagnosed with Salmonella meningitis following a traumatic lumbar vertebral fracture.
- A retrospective review of adult Salmonella meningitis cases was conducted.
Findings:
- Historically, Salmonella typhi was the predominant serotype causing meningitis in adults before 1940.
- Since 1940, a broader range of Salmonella serotypes, including S. typhimurium, have been implicated in adult meningitis.
- The survival rate for adult Salmonella meningitis has significantly improved post-1940, correlating with the advent of antibiotics.
Implications:
- Adult Salmonella meningitis, though rare, necessitates prompt diagnosis and treatment, especially in patients with vertebral trauma.
- The shift in predominant serotypes suggests evolving epidemiological patterns or diagnostic capabilities.
- Improved outcomes underscore the critical role of antibiotic therapy in managing invasive Salmonella infections in adults.