Sphingobacterium multivorum causing fatal meningoencephalitis: a rare case report.

ABSTRACT

We report a case of fatal meningitis caused by bacteria, Sphingobacterium multivorum, probably first time being reported from India. S. mulivorum has been isolated from various clinical specimens but it is only rarely been associated with serious infections. Sphingobacterium species are generally resistant to aminoglycosides and polymyxin B. Susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics is variable, requiring testing for individual drug. This 36 year male had two weeks history of high-grade fever with altered sensorium and occasional seizures. Patient admitted with septicemia and subsequently developed meningitis and succumbed to his illness after being discharged against medical advice. His CSF culture yielded S. multivorum subsequently confirmed by mini API, bioMérieux Inc. Marcy-l’Etoile France. Due to its rare association with common clinical conditions, it requires a high degree of suspicion and expertise to prove its presence in clinical specimens. Since this bacterium is inherently resistant to many classes of antibiotics, a vigilant and efficient microbiological work up is needed to establish its diagnosis and prompt treatment.