An unusual case of Escherichia coli meningitis and bacteremia in an elderly woman presenting with intractable low back pain

Abstract

Introduction: We report an unusual case of E. coli meningitis in an elderly woman who presented to the emergency room with a chief complaint of intractable low back pain. Case Description: A 67 year old woman presented to the emergency room for a chief complaint of intractable low back pain. After admission, the patient developed delirium. Blood cultures were drawn. Patient underwent a lumbar puncture which revealed purulent cerebrospinal fluid. Results of the cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures revealed pan-sensitive E. coli. Conclusion: In the geriatric population, delayed presentation of meningitis can occur for various reasons. With the older adult population, existing co-morbidities and decline in immunologic function can mask symptoms. Clinicians caring for the elderly population need to have a high index of suspicion in the setting of subtle symptoms when it comes to diagnosing acute bacterial meningitis.

Keywords

• bacteremia
• meningitis
• geriatric
• E. Coli
• clinical
• cerebrospinal
• cultures
• delirium