Two cases of fatal meningitis due to Fusobacterium necrophorum

Pediatr Neurol. 2007 Apr;36(4):261-3. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2006.11.005.

Abstract

It is extremely important to consider Fusobacterium necrophorum as a cause of meningitis in children after otitis or other upper respiratory tract infections, because of its increasing incidence. A high index of suspicion and prompt microbiological identification are mandatory; as this organism is often penicillin-resistant, prolonged antibiotic therapy is required and invasive infection carries a high risk of fatal cerebral vessel thrombosis. This report presents two fatal cases who presented to our pediatric intensive care unit in December 2004.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fusobacterium Infections / complications*
  • Fusobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Fusobacterium necrophorum / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / microbiology
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Penicillins