Actinomyces meyeri meningitis: the need for anaerobic cerebrospinal fluid cultures

Intern Med. 2014;53(1):67-71. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.0403.

Abstract

We herein present a rare case of Actinomyces meyeri-induced meningitis that occurred in a patient of advanced age with poor oral hygiene. Although Gram staining of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed Gram-positive rods and a blood culture was positive for the organism, a bacterial culture of the CSF was negative. Anaerobic cultures of CSF specimens are not routinely performed; however, anaerobes are sometimes involved in central nervous system infection. We therefore believe that anaerobic cultures should be considered in high-risk cases, such as those involving necrotizing bowel lesions or poor oral hygiene. A negative result on a CSF culture can result in misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actinomyces / isolation & purification*
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bacteria, Anaerobic / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnosis*