Group C streptococcal meningitis

Acute Bacterial Meningitis and Systemic Abscesses due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis Infection

Disseminated abscesses due to group G β-hemolytic Streptococcus dysgalactiae were observed in a 57-year-old cirrhotic patient with the skin being the putative way of entry for the pathogen. S. dysgalactiae is a rare agent in human infections responsible for acute pyogenic meningitis. The mortality rate associated with S. dysgalactiae bacteraemia and meningitis may be as high as 50%, particularly in the presence of endocarditis or brain abscesses. In our patient, main sites of infections were meningitis and ventriculitis, spondylodiscitis, septic arthritis, and soft-tissue infections. In contrast, no endocarditis was evidenced. Cirrhosis-related immune suppression was considered as a pathophysiological cofactor for the condition. Fortunately, clinical status improved after long-term (3 months) antimicrobial therapy.

Meningitis due to group C Streptococcus: a case report and review of the literature

Group C streptococci (GCS) are common causes of veterinary diseases and may colonize humans. Human diseases due to GCS are uncommon and generally occur in the elderly and persons exposed to animals or animal products. We report a case of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus meningitis in a horse trainer and review 36 cases of GCS meningitis reported in the literature. The median age was 48 y and the majority of patients were previously healthy. Thirty-one percent (11/36) of the reported cases followed equine exposure and 19% (7/36) ingestion of dairy products. Sixty-seven percent (24/36) were found to have concomitant bacteraemia. The case fatality rate was 31% (11/36), and 28% (7/25) of survivors were reported to have residual neurological impairments. At least 4 days of antibiotics were typically required before symptoms improved. Isolates were generally susceptible to beta-lactams. In conclusion, it is important to consider GCS in the differential of bacterial meningitis, in particular in elderly patients exposed to horses or dairy products. Beta-lactams are first-line therapy, but outcomes are poor.

Streptococcus zooepidemicus meningitis and bacteraemia

Group C streptococci are common causative agents of epidemic infections in animals and a rare cause of meningitis in humans. The case is reported of a 75-y-old man with meningitis caused by a group C streptococcus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus). He had frequent contact with horses, which were a possible source of infection. In spite of treatment with a third generation cephalosporin, the outcome was fatal.

Group C streptococcal meningitis: case report and review of the literature

Group C streptococci are a common cause of epidemic bacterial infection in animals. These organisms are a rare but frequently fatal cause of meningitis in humans. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl with meningitis caused by a group C Streptococcus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) successfully treated with vancomycin and third generation cephalosporins. We also review cases of group C streptococcal meningitis reported previously.