Prevotella intermedia meningitis associated with cerebrospinal fluid leakage in an adolescent

The First Infant Anaerobic Meningitis Infected by Prevotella bivia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Anaerobic bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to severe neurological complications, resulting in high levels of disability and mortality worldwide. However, accurately diagnosing and isolating the responsible pathogens remains challenging due to the difficulty in culturing anaerobic bacteria, as they require harsh anaerobic culture conditions. Anaerobic bacteria have rarely been reported in meningitis, especially in children. This report details the first infant with anaerobic meningitis caused by Prevotella bivia. Additionally, we present a case of infant anaerobic meningitis caused by P. bivia, detected using metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Our clinical experience highlights the importance of early identification of Prevotella spp. through mNGS and anaerobic culture, the effectiveness of antimicrobial medications, and the timely implementation of carefully planned precision therapeutic regimens. Furthermore, we have conducted a comprehensive review of 10 cases of Prevotella spp. infection, summarized their clinical and laboratory examination characteristics, and identified their commonalities.

Case report: isolated prevotella intermedia causing intracranial infection detected using metagenomic next generation sequencing

BACKGROUND

Isolated Prevotella intermedia, a rare gram-negative, rod-shaped, anaerobic bacterium, is rarely detected in clinical practice. It has been associated with infections of the oral cavity and female genital tract, but has never been detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients in China. Accurate detection of causative pathogens is still an arduous task owing to the difficult conditions of anaerobic bacterial culture. Isolated Prevotella intermedia can be detected by metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) of the CSF. Correct diagnosis and antibiotic treatment can help patients avoid life-threatening events.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein, we describe the case of a 64-year-old Chinese woman who presented with typical features of meningoencephalitis. Routine CSF culture failed to identify the causative pathogen. Isolated Prevotella intermedia was detected by mNGS, and the patient was treated with antibacterial agents including ceftriaxone, vancomycin, moxifloxacin, meropenem, metronidazole, and linezolid. The patient underwent surgical treatment for abscess of left frontal parietal lobe, which was observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and was suspected to be caused by Prevotella intermedia. It was further confirmed that it was a secondary infection from the oral cavity, and the possible etiology might have been dental surgery. Treatment was rendered to the patient based on metagenomic test result, and her condition improved after two months.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the role of mNGS in accurate diagnosis of patients with central nervous system infection. In particular, mNGS can be used to identify rare pathogens and confirm the diagnosis in patients with unknown etiology.

Polymicrobial Bacterial Meningitis in a Patient with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: Case Report and Literature Review

Polymicrobial meningitis is a rare entity in the adult population, especially in the antibiotic era. However, disorders such as chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) or even poor oral hygiene are considered risk factors for the development of such cerebral infection. We report a case of polymicrobial meningitis associated with oto-mastoiditis in a 64-year-old female patient known to have CSOM. The patient presented atypical symptoms for community-acquired meningitis, showing subacute evolution of headache, without fever or neck stiffness. The aerobe microorganisms Streptococcus anginosus and Corynebacterium spp., sensitive to beta-lactamines, and the anaerobe Prevotella spp., resistant to penicillin and metronidazole, were isolated from CSF specimens, while Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis were identified from the ear drainage. The diversity of pathogens identified in our case led us to the hypothesis of two different sources of meningitis: otogenic and/or odontogenic. Favorable evolution was obtained after a multi-disciplinary approach, combining surgery and broad-spectrum antibiotics. In addition, we performed a literature review that highlights the low incidence of polymicrobial mixed aerobe-anaerobe meningitis.

A chinese case of prevotella intermedia and streptococcus constellatus intracranial mixed infection

Streptococcal Species is increasingly recognized as a potentially preventable emerging infection in human's brain with high prevalence around the world. Streptococcus constellatus is one of the most common pathogens. Meanwhile, anaerobic bacteria are the rare causes for intracranial infection. To date, intracranial mixed infection caused by Prevotella intermedia and Streptococcus constellatus has not been reported. We reported a Chinese case to raise the global awareness of severity of the intracranial mixed infection. Here, we illustrated the epidemiological risk factors, clinical manifestations and outcomes of the patient. For patients who suffer from exacerbated brain infection with fetid cerebrospinal fluid, early repeated imaging is urgently needed and empiric antibiotic therapy should consider anaerobic and aerobic bacteria in these situations.

Routine testing for anaerobic bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid cultures improves recovery of clinically significant pathogens

In North America, the widespread use of vaccines targeting Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae have dramatically altered the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis, while the methodology for culturing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has remained largely unchanged. The aims of this study were 2-fold: to document the current epidemiology of bacterial meningitis at a tertiary care medical center and to assess the clinical utility of routinely querying for anaerobes in CSF cultures. To that end, we assessed CSF cultures submitted over a 2-year period. A brucella blood agar (BBA) plate, incubated anaerobically for 5 days, was included in the culture procedure for all CSF specimens during the second year of evaluation. In the pre- and postimplementation years, 2,353 and 2,302 CSF specimens were cultured, with 49 and 99 patients having positive culture results, respectively. The clinical and laboratory data for patients with positive cultures were reviewed. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated in the CSF samples from 33 patients post-BBA compared to two patients pre-BBA (P = 0.01). The anaerobic isolates included Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (n = 1), Propionibacterium species (n = 15), and Propionibacterium acnes (n = 19) isolates; all of these isolates were recovered on the BBA. Eight of the 35 patients from whom anaerobic organisms were isolated received antimicrobial therapy. Although six of these patients had central nervous system hardware, two patients did not have a history of a neurosurgical procedure and had community-acquired anaerobic bacterial meningitis. This study demonstrates that the simple addition of an anaerobically incubated BBA to the culture of CSF specimens enhances the recovery of clinically significant anaerobic pathogens.

Clinical characteristics, pathogens implicated and therapeutic outcomes of mixed infection in adult bacterial meningitis

We reviewed retrospectively the data for adult patients with bacterial meningitis over a period of 10.5 years in our hospital. The clinical characteristics and laboratory data of the 21 cases (52 strains) of mixed infection were analyzed. Two hundred and fifteen cases of single pathogen adult bacterial meningitis (ABM) were also included for comparison. Post-neurosurgical type of ABM was presented in 86% of the mixed infection group. Brain abscess was found in three patients. Fourteen patients survived and seven cases died. The analysis showed a statistical significance for the mixed infection group having a higher rate of nosocomially-acquired, post-neurosurgical condition, hydrocephalus, and lower level of cerebrospinal fluid white cell count, protein and lactate than the single pathogen group. Logistic regression analysis showed the independent factor of "hydrocephalus" (p = 0.002). Presence of hydrocephalus is a significant neuroimaging feature when compared with the single pathogen group. As compared with the previous study results of mixed infection in ABM, the present study showed a change of pathogens implicated of increasing Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. infections, and an emergence of anaerobic pathogens. All these changes deserve special attention because of the need for an appropriate choice of empirical antibiotics and choice of culture method.

Giant frontal mucocele complicated by subdural empyema: treatment of a rare association

Giant frontal mucocele (GFM) is an extremely rare cause of frontal lobe syndrome. Subdural empyema (SDE) is an uncommon complication of paranasal sinisutis, for which craniotomy and decompressive craniotomy are the most effective surgical procedures. A 54-year-old man was brought unconscious to the emergency room where recurrent generalized seizures occurred. Heroine abuse, HCV-related hepatitis, prolonged antibiotic therapy for treatment of purulent rhinorrhea, along with recent personality changes were reported. High white blood cell count, pansinusitis, GFM, SDE and cerebritis were documented. The patient underwent bifrontal craniotomy in emergency, extensive drilling of the inner aspect of the frontal bone, surgical toilet of the enlarged frontal sinus and its "cranialization". Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum were isolated and antibiotic therapy was started intravenously and then continued orally for 3 months. 2 years later the patient has recovered, though minor signs of frontal lobe syndrome persist. To the authors knowledge, this is the first case of GFM with SDE reported in the literature. Although decompressive craniectomy is advocated in extreme conditions, as in this case, "internal decompressive craniectomy", obtained with craniotomy and cranialization of the frontal sinuses, is strongly advocated in cases of SDE associated with megasinuses.