Campylobacter fetus Meningitis and Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis in a Healthy Young Woman

Abstract

We report a rare case of Campylobacter fetus meningitis and pyogenic spondylodiscitis in a healthy young woman. A 35-year-old woman without significant medical history presented with fever, headache, and low back pain. C. fetus was detected from the blood culture. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed bacterial meningitis 2 days after onset. Although initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not reveal abnormal findings, repeated MRI showed a low-signal-intensity lesion on T1-weighted image (T1WI) and a high-signal-intensity lesion on T2WI between the L5 and S1 vertebral bodies 11 days after onset. The mode of infection was considered to be the consumption of raw chicken meat. After antibiotic treatment with 12 g/day ampicillin following 6 g/day meropenem, she was discharged 51 days after onset. As the inflammatory signs on MRI improved, oral antibiotic therapy was discontinued 85 days after onset. Although the initial MRI showed no abnormal findings, repeat MRI should be performed for patients who have persistent low back pain and fever.

Keywords

• campylobacter fetus
• bacterial meningitis
• pyogenic spondylodiscitis
• healthy young female