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Streptococcus suis meningitis complicated with permanent perceptive deafness: report of a case
1Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Abstract:
A 61-year-old pig farmer was found to be suffering from meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis type II. He was successfully treated with intravenous penicillin G but was left with permanent deafness. B-cell lymphoma was also diagnosed one year later. S. suis is a zoonotic pathogen which causes meningitis, septicemia and endocarditis in pigs. Human infection is rare and often presents as meningitis with the sequela of permanent deafness. It has previously been reported in pig rearing countries such as Holland or Hong Kong. This is the second documented case of human meningitis caused by S. suis in Taiwan, which is also a major pig rearing country in Asia. Infections caused by viridans streptococci or other beta-hemolytic streptococci in Taiwan may therefore actually be due to S. suis. Further investigation of the possibility of the underlying deficiency of humoral immunity is warranted.
Insights
A pig farmer developed meningitis from Streptococcus suis type II, a rare zoonotic disease. While treated with penicillin G, he suffered permanent deafness, highlighting the risks of S. suis infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Streptococcus suis type II is a zoonotic pathogen primarily affecting pigs, causing meningitis, septicemia, and endocarditis.
- Human infections with S. suis are uncommon but can lead to severe neurological sequelae, notably permanent deafness.
- Taiwan, a major pig-rearing nation, has had limited documented cases of human S. suis meningitis.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old pig farmer presented with meningitis attributed to Streptococcus suis type II.
- The patient received successful treatment with intravenous penicillin G.
- One year post-meningitis, the patient was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma.
Findings:
- The case represents the second documented instance of human Streptococcus suis meningitis in Taiwan.
- The patient experienced permanent deafness as a sequela of the meningitis.
- The possibility exists that some infections attributed to viridans or beta-hemolytic streptococci in Taiwan may be misdiagnosed S. suis cases.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for S. suis to cause severe human illness, including permanent deafness, in pig-farming communities.
- It suggests a need for increased awareness and diagnostic consideration of S. suis in febrile patients with meningitis, especially in regions with significant swine populations.
- Further research into potential underlying immunodeficiencies, such as deficiencies in humoral immunity, may be warranted in patients with recurrent or severe S. suis infections.