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Home / Equine Research Bank / Infect Dis Rep / Streptococcus zooepidemicus Meningitis in an HIV-Positive Ho...
Infectious disease reports2023; 15(5); 527-534; doi: 10.3390/idr15050052

Streptococcus zooepidemicus Meningitis in an HIV-Positive Horse Breeder Patient: A Case Study and Literature Review.

Abstract: subsp. is a rare etiologic agent of bacterial meningitis in humans. The disease is a zoonotic infection and is transmitted through close contact with domestic animals, mainly horses. Only 37 cases of meningitis have been reported in the literature until July 2023. The aim of this study is to present a rare clinical case of -related meningitis in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient and analyze the literature. We present a 23-year-old horse breeder patient with advanced immunosuppression due to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and meningitis, admitted at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases, St. George University Hospital, Plovdiv. The course of meningitis was severe since the beginning, with significant cerebral edema, disturbances in consciousness, persistent fever, and the development of complications against the background of AIDS-related conditions. was microbiologically detected from cerebrospinal fluid culture. After prolonged treatment and a long hospital stay, the patient's condition improved, and eventually he was discharged and recovered from the acute neuroinfection. Although extremely rare, should be considered in patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of bacterial meningitis who have contact with animals, especially horses, other domestic animals, and their dairy products, as well as in immunocompromised patients. To the best of our knowledge, the current clinical case is the first report of -related meningitis in a patient with HIV/AIDS.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-07 PubMed ID: 37736999PubMed Central: PMC10514876DOI: 10.3390/idr15050052Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This research article reports a rare case of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus in an HIV-positive horse breeder, highlighting the zoonotic nature of the infection and reviewing existing literature on the condition.

Background

  • Streptococcus zooepidemicus is a rare cause of bacterial meningitis in humans.
  • The infection is zoonotic, primarily transmitted through close contact with domestic animals, especially horses.
  • By July 2023, only 37 cases of S. zooepidemicus-related meningitis had been documented in the medical literature.

Case Presentation

  • The study focuses on a 23-year-old male who is a horse breeder and is HIV-positive with advanced immunosuppression due to AIDS.
  • The patient was admitted to the Clinic of Infectious Diseases at St. George University Hospital in Plovdiv.
  • He presented with severe bacterial meningitis characterized by:
    • Significant cerebral edema (brain swelling)
    • Disturbances in consciousness (altered mental status)
    • Persistent fever
    • Complications associated with his underlying AIDS condition
  • S. zooepidemicus was confirmed as the causative agent by culturing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Treatment and Outcome

  • The patient underwent prolonged antibiotic treatment tailored to address the bacterial infection.
  • The hospital stay was extended, reflecting the severity of the disease and the patient’s immunocompromised status.
  • Eventually, the patient’s condition improved, leading to discharge and recovery from the acute neuroinfection.

Significance and Implications

  • This case represents the first known report of S. zooepidemicus-associated meningitis in an HIV/AIDS patient, underlining a novel clinical presentation.
  • The case reinforces the importance of considering zoonotic pathogens like S. zooepidemicus in patients with bacterial meningitis who have:
    • Contact with horses or other domestic animals
    • Exposure to animal-derived products such as dairy
    • Immunocompromised conditions such as HIV/AIDS
  • The study stresses vigilance among clinicians for rare zoonotic infections in vulnerable patient groups to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Literature Review Summary

  • The literature review consolidated previously reported cases of S. zooepidemicus meningitis, emphasizing its rarity and the zoonotic transmission route.
  • Most cases have documented exposure to domestic animals, especially horses, reinforcing the occupational risk among horse breeders and handlers.
  • Immunosuppression is identified as an important risk factor exacerbating disease severity and outcomes.

Cite This Article

APA
(2023). Streptococcus zooepidemicus Meningitis in an HIV-Positive Horse Breeder Patient: A Case Study and Literature Review. Infect Dis Rep, 15(5), 527-534. https://doi.org/10.3390/idr15050052

Publication

Infectious disease reports
ISSN: 2036-7430
NlmUniqueID: 101537203
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 5
Pages: 527-534

Researcher Affiliations

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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