[Neonatal meningitis caused by Alcaligenes xylosoxydans].
BACKGROUND
Neonatal meningitis due to Alcaligenes xylosoxydans is exceptional; its diagnosis and treatment may be difficult.


METHODS
A neonate born at 42 weeks of GA to a mother who worked as a nurse in an intensive care unit was admitted on day 2 for a severe infection. Her cerebrospinal (CSF) contained 1,970 white cell/mm3, polymorphonuclear in majority: direct examination failed to show any germ but the CSF and blood cultures were positive for Alcaligenes xylosoxydans, a strain that was resistant to the initially given antibiotics. The patient was given piperacillin, 300 mg/kg/d for 21 days and completely cured with a follow-up of 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
This case shows that lombar puncture can be necessary in evaluating early neonatal sepsis; it also shows usefulness of piperacillin in some cases.
Bruel
H
H
Service de médecine néonatale, centre hospitalier du Havre, Le Havre, France.
Chabrolle
J P
JP
Pinon
G
G
Poinsot
J
J
D000421:Alcaligenes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013129:Spinal Puncture
D010406:Penicillins; D010878:Piperacillin