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Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2022

01-12-2022 | Meningitis | Case report

Gardnerella vaginalis purulent meningitis in an adolescent male: a case report

Authors: Hongji Lu, Yaming Du, Tao Pan, Zheng Lou, Huiping Li, Yingdi Liao, Lixin Wang

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

We report a rare case of Gardnerella vaginalis found in the cerebrospinal fluid of a young boy.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old boy was admitted to hospital with headache, vomiting, fever, drowsiness and positive meningeal irritation signs on examination. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shows white blood cell and protein were elevated, and glucose was low. Traditional aerobic and anaerobic culture of CSF did not grow any organisms. However, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) reveals G. vaginalis in his CSF. The patient was diagnosed with purulent meningitis, and treated with intravenous meropenem and linezolid for a week, followed by oral administration of amoxicillin for two weeks. He recovered without sequelae.

Conclusions

Purulent meningitis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis is extremely rare. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of CSF should be highlighted for early diagnosis. With effective antibiotic treatment, the prognosis was excellent.
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Metadata
Title
Gardnerella vaginalis purulent meningitis in an adolescent male: a case report
Authors
Hongji Lu
Yaming Du
Tao Pan
Zheng Lou
Huiping Li
Yingdi Liao
Lixin Wang
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02733-y

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