Community-acquired Streptococcus mitis meningitis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Streptococcus mitis is prevalent in the normal flora of the oropharynx, the female genital tract, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Although it is usually considered to have low virulence and pathogenicity, Streptococcus mitis may cause life-threatening infections, particularly endocarditis. Meningitis with S. mitis is rare, but has been described in individuals with previous spinal anesthesia, neurosurgical procedure, malignancy, or neurological complications of endocarditis.


METHODS
A 58-year-old, alcoholic male patient with a high fever, headache, and changes in mental status was admitted to hospital with the diagnosis of meningitis. S. mitis, isolated from cerebrospinal fluid, was sensitive to penicillin. He was given a 14-day course of ampicillin and made a full clinical recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
The purpose of this report is to emphasize the importance of the occurrence of S. mitis meningitis in patients with concomitant factors such as older age (>50 years), alcoholism, poor oral hygiene, and maxillary sinusitis.
Kutlu
Selda Sayin
SS
Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Kinikli, 20070 Denizli, Turkey. sayinkutlu@yahoo.com
Sacar
Suzan
S
Cevahir
Nural
N
Turgut
Huseyin
H
D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D034361:Streptococcus mitis / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000667:Ampicillin