Isolation of Corynebacterium aquaticum from spinal fluid of an infant with meningitis.
A 4-week-old female was hospitalized because of vomiting, irritability, and nuchal rigidity. A spinal fluid culture yielded Corynebacterium aquaticum. The diagnosis of C. aquaticum meningitis in this infant was supported by the following cerebrospinal fluid findings: Gram stain, elevated protein, hypoglycorrhachia, positive C-reactive protein, and polymorphonuclear leukocytosis. Antigen studies for common bacterial causes of meningitis were negative. C. aquaticum is a rare cause of human disease and may be initially confused with Listeria monocytogenes, which is a more common gram-positive, motile rod associated with meningitis in infants.
D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes; D008581:Meningitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D008584:Meningitis, Listeria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology