Staphylococcus warneri ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection: failure of diagnosis by ventricular CSF sampling.
BACKGROUND
The definite diagnosis of hydrocephalus valve infection is generally made by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling via the valve reservoir, which is considered to be more dependable than that of the CSF obtained by lumbar puncture.


METHODS
We treated a 17-year-old boy with an intra-abdominal pseudocyst due to ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection caused by Staphylococcus warneri whose ventricular CSF, obtained via the valve reservoir, was repeatedly sterile thus causing a considerable delay in the management of the complication.


CONCLUSIONS
S. warneri constitutes an emergent contaminant of catheters and prostheses. We found only a detailed report of S. warneri infection of a ventriculoatrial shunt. If manifestations of peritoneal involvement in shunted patients would occur, the attention should be shifted to the distal component of the shunt hardware, even in the presence of a normal ventricular CSF as happened in our case to avoid unnecessary delay in diagnosis and management.
Martínez-Lage
Juan F
JF
Regional Service of Neurosurgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, El Palmar, 30120, Murcia, Spain. juanf.martinezlage@cablemurcia.com
Martínez-Lage Azorín
Laura
L
Almagro
María-José
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*