Bacteroides fragilis septicaemia and meningitis in early infancy.
A case of recurrent Bacteroides fragilis septicaemia leading eventually to meningitis in a 6-week-old infant is reported. Perforation of the small bowel at the constriction ring of a strangulated inguinal hernia caused a faecal peritonitis and was the primary source of infection. Erythromycin, to which the isolate was fully sensitive in vitro, was only temporarily an effective treatment; the infection was finally eradicated with chloramphenicol, and the baby made a full recovery. Bacteroides infections in infancy and childhood are briefly reviewed.
D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D004917:Erythromycin; D002701:Chloramphenicol