Fatal bacterial meningitis after spinal anaesthesia.
A 37-y-old male was admitted to the ICU because of meningitis and respiratory failure with epileptic seizures. Spinal fluid grew Streptococcus salivarius. Prior to presentation the patient underwent surgical excision of a chronic toe ulcer, performed under spinal anaesthesia, which raised the suspicion of iatrogenic origin of the disease. The clinical situation deteriorated over the following d and the patient died from multi-organ failure. Careful hygiene measures are needed to prevent such a severe complication.
Halaby
Teysir
T
Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Leyssius
Aart
A
Veneman
Thiemo
T
D000328:Adult; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification