Rare Case of Recurrent Salmonella Typhimurium Meningitis in a 55-day-old Infant: Importance of Immunodeficiency Susceptibility

Introduction

Although Salmonella causes less than 1% of bacterial meningitis that occurs under the age of one, its complication rate, mortality rate, relapse risk is higher than meningitis caused by other Gr (-) bacteria. S. typhimurium constitutes 89.7% of all Salmonella infections under the age of one. The cure rate for conventional antibiotics such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and co-trimoxazole is 41.2%, the relapse rate is 11.8%, and the mortality rate is 44.7% [Owusu-Ofori A, Scheld WM. Int J Infect Dis 2003; 7: 53–60]. The cure rate for fluoroquinolones has been reported as 88.9%, and the cure rate for cephalosporins is closed to 84.6%. So far, there have not been any fatalities reported with fluoroquinolones and imipenem treatment.

Herein, we present a case of a 55-day-old infant who presented with an axillary body temperature of 38.9 degrees, upper-limb seizure, and tonic-colonic contractions in his extremities. He was diagnosed as salmonella meningitis and was treated appropriately however the disease recurred. This case is sporadic to come by and illustrates the importance of suspicion for immunodeficiency among children presenting with infections due to uncommon pathogens.

Publication History

Article published online:
01 July 2024