A flavobacterium cultured from the blood of a patient with meningitis

Abstract

Meningitis may be caused by several distinct species of bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The initial clinical diagnosis is usually confirmed by chemical and cytological examination of the C.S.F. and the causal pathogen identified by bacteriological and virological techniques. A case report of a 5-year old boy who was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital Malta with a history of mild frontal headaches for the previous two days is presented. A diagnosis of meningitis was made and a lumbar puncture performed. The fluid was clear and the C.S.F. pressure was found to be within normal limits. In the case under discussion, one can argue that the cause of the meningitis may have been the Flavobacterium which was cultured from the blood but for some reason not from the C.S.F. As an additional note it may be mentioned that this child comes from a family of 4 children, including himself. One brother died soon after birth. The other two siblings were both admitted to hospital in with meningeal signs. Although a definite correlation between these three cases of 'meningeal involvement' cannot be proved, it is peculiar that 3 siblings in the same family should be affected by a common disease within a span of 6 months.