Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus: an emergent cause of meningoencephalitis in Northeastern Brazil

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2024 Aug 26:66:e51. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202466051. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

This study describes an outbreak of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infections that caused meningoencephalitis and bacteremia related to unpasteurized milk consumption in northeastern Brazil. Epidemiological investigations and a brief literature review were conducted. Strains with possible neurotropism had not been identified in Brazil before these cases; however, in 2023, another case of meningoencephalitis caused by Streptococcus equi sp. zooepidemicus was described, revealing the need to maintain surveillance and highlighting that these neurotropic strains continue to circulate in the environment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis* / microbiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Milk / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Streptococcus
  • Streptococcus equi* / classification
  • Streptococcus equi* / isolation & purification

Supplementary concepts

  • Streptococcus equi subsp. equi