[Clostridium perfringens meningitis with fatal outcome in a 3-week old infant]

Clostridium perfringens meningitis is a rare condition usually associated to skull injuries, surgery or gastro-intestinal disorders.

A 21 day-old infant was admitted for the sudden worsening of a neonatal post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Eighteen hours after admission, she developed a septic status with acute meningitis. A CT scan revealed the presence of intracerebral gas suggesting the responsibility of an anaerobic bacterium. The infant died within 24 hours from multiorgan failure, hemodynamic disorders, acute anemia with red urines. Clostridium perfringens was isolated both from the blood and CSF.

The tissue alterations following meningeal hemorrhage may favor anaerobic growth. The presence of intracerebral gas is highly suggestive of the diagnosis. The prognosis is very poor.