Caulobacter spp: A Rare Pathogen Responsible for Paucisintomatic Persisitant Meningitis in a Glioblastoma Patient

World Neurosurg. 2016 Dec:96:611.e11-611.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.09.020. Epub 2016 Sep 17.

Abstract

Background: Caulobacter spp. are Gram-negative bacteria that have rarely been found to be pathogenic in humans.

Case description: This report describes the first case, to our knowledge, of meningitis in an adult patient caused by Caulobacter spp. A 75-year-old man was operated for a glioblastoma with no evident signs of primary infection in the wound site. Eight days after surgery, the patient developed signs and symptoms of meningitis. Caulobacter was then isolated on 3 separate occasions in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid. Thereafter, specific antibiotic therapy began. After 2 weeks of therapy, the patient was discharged with complete resolution of any related symptoms.

Conclusions: Caulobacter spp. can cause adult meningitis even where there is no evidence of surgical site infection.

Keywords: Caulobacter; Complications; Glioblastoma; Meningitis; Neurosurgery; Postoperative meningitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Caulobacter / drug effects
  • Caulobacter / pathogenicity*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology
  • Glioblastoma / surgery*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Meropenem
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Thienamycins / therapeutic use
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Thienamycins
  • Meropenem