Meningitis in a girl with recurrent otitis media caused by Streptococcus pyogenes--otitis media has to be treated appropriately.
Streptococcus pyogenes rarely causes meningitis. A recent increase in the incidence and severity of diseases due to S. pyogenes has been observed worldwide, without an apparent increase in the incidence of S. pyogenes meningitis. However, more recently severe and fulminant cases of S. pyogenes meningitis have been reported in the literature. This case report emphasizes the fact that S. pyogenes can cause meningitis with severe clinical sequelae such as hygromas and right-sided third cranial nerve palsy. Most importantly, it is concluded that recurrent otitis media has to be treated carefully following appropriate identification of the causing organism in order to prevent severe clinical courses of streptococcal infections.
Steppberger
K
K
Children's Hospital, University of Leipzig, Germany. kerstinsteppberger@hotmail.com
Adams
I
I
Deutscher
J
J
Müller
H
H
Kiess
W
W
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D015840:Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012008:Recurrence; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents