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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side
09:58

A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side

Published on: May 6, 2016

Propionibacterium [correction of Proprionibacterium] acnes infections of cerebrospinal fluid shunts

T P Thompson1, A L Albright

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582, USA.

Child'S Nervous System : Chns : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
|September 30, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes shunt infections are typically low-grade. Short-term antibiotics and shunt replacement may effectively treat these cerebrospinal fluid infections, avoiding prolonged drainage.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Microbiology

Background:

  • Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infections are a complication of CSF diversion procedures.
  • Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) causes indolent, low-grade shunt infections, often presenting with subtle symptoms like shunt malfunction, nausea, and headache.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the characteristics and optimal treatment strategies for P. acnes shunt infections.
  • To determine if a less invasive treatment approach can be effective for P. acnes shunt infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 489 shunt procedures performed between January 1992 and December 1995.
  • Identification and analysis of 15 cases with P. acnes cultured from CSF reservoir taps or intraoperative samples.
  • Distinguishing true infections from contaminants based on CSF leukocytosis or Gram stain findings.

Main Results:

  • Six cases (14.6% of shunt infections) were confirmed as true P. acnes infections.
  • No patient had positive CSF cultures after shunt removal and antibiotic initiation.
  • P. acnes infections demonstrated broad antibiotic sensitivity and rapid CSF sterilization.

Conclusions:

  • P. acnes shunt infections exhibit benign characteristics and respond well to antibiotics.
  • Short-term perioperative antibiotics and shunt replacement may be a viable alternative to prolonged external ventricular drainage.
  • This approach could significantly reduce operative procedures and hospital length of stay.

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