First case of meningoencephalitis and bacteremia with Flavobacterium lindanitolerans

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Flavobacterium lindanitolerans is an environmental gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod which is usually not considered to be a human pathogen. Isolation from human clinical samples has been described only once. Herein, we report the first case of meningoencephalitis and bacteremia with Flavobacterium lindanitolerans. Methods: Report of clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings, treatment considerations, and outcome. Case description: A 76-year-old female presented herself with fever, headache, alteration of mental status, marked meningism, and dysarthria. Lumbar puncture demonstrated cerebrospinal fluid findings consistent with bacterial meningitis and a broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was initiated. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures revealed growth of Flavobacterium lindanitolerans. Based on antimicrobial susceptibilities testing antibiotic treatment was changed to levofloxacin, resulting in a remission of the clinical symptoms after 21 days of treatment. Conclusion: Flavobacterium species are extremely rare human pathogens. However, some of them have been reported to cause opportunistic infections. We describe the first case of meningoencephalitis and bacteremia caused by Flavobacterium lindanitolerans which was effectively treated with levofloxacin for 21 days.