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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes
Published on: June 13, 2011
A Difficult Case of Ventriculitis in a 40-Year-Old Woman with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Raffaella Rubino1,2, Marcello Trizzino1, Luca Pipitò3
1Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Sicilian Regional Reference Center for the Fight against AIDS, AOU Policlinico "P. Giaccone", 90127 Palermo, Italy.
Abstract:
Ventriculitis and nosocomial meningitis caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative and vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria represent a growing treatment challenge. A case of ventriculitis and bacteremia caused by carbapenem-resistant, KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a young woman with acute leukemia who was successfully treated with meropenem/vaborbactam (MVB), rifampicin, and linezolid is described in this paper. This case report emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary strategy, including infectious focus control, for the treatment of device-associated central nervous system (CNS) infections from multidrug-resistant bacteria. Considering the novel resistance patterns, more research on drug penetration into the central nervous system, as well as on the necessity of association therapies, is needed.
Insights
This case report details successful treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial ventriculitis and bacteremia in a leukemia patient using meropenem/vaborbactam, rifampicin, and linezolid. It highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches and further research into CNS infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ventriculitis and nosocomial meningitis caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose significant treatment challenges.
- Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive bacteria are increasingly implicated in severe infections.
- Device-associated central nervous system (CNS) infections require specialized management strategies.

