Streptococcus suis Meningitis Case in Italy
Author Information
Author(s): Aldo Manzin, Claudio Palmieri, Corrado Serra, Barbara Saddi, Maria Stella Princivalli, Giovanni Loi, Giuseppe Angioni, Franco Tiddia, Pietro E. Varaldo, Bruna Facinelli
Primary Institution: University of Cagliari Medical School, Cagliari, Italy
Hypothesis
Can Streptococcus suis cause meningitis in humans without any history of animal contact?
Conclusion
The case illustrates that Streptococcus suis can cause meningitis in humans even in the absence of direct contact with swine or animal products.
Supporting Evidence
- Streptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen that can cause serious infections in humans.
- The patient had no reported contact with swine or animal products.
- Common features of the meningitis included hearing loss and serotype 2 infection.
- The patient had a lung mass diagnosed as advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma.
Takeaway
A man got a serious brain infection from a germ usually found in pigs, even though he never touched any pigs or ate their meat.
Methodology
The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and chloramphenicol, and tests were conducted on cerebrospinal fluid to identify the bacteria.
Limitations
The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
A 68-year-old man with a history of cancer.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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