RT Journal
A1 Gruskay J, Harris M, Costarino AT, Polin RA, Baumgart S
T1 NEonatal staphylococcus epidermidis meningitis with unremarkable csf examination results
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD May 1
VO 143
IS 5
SP 580
OP 582
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150170082027
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150170082027
AB • We identified 10 infants (mean±SD birth weight, 1000±500 g; gestation, 29±3 weeks; postnatal age, 24±19 days) who had Staphylococcus epidermidis meningitis despite unremarkable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) blood cell counts and glucose and protein levels. Staphylococcus epidermidis meningitis was diagnosed if all the following criteria were satisfied: (1) a CSF culture positive for S epidermidis within 48 hours, (2) a blood culture positive for S epidermidis with antibiotic sensitivities identical to those of the CSF isolate, and (3) clinical symptomatology. Lumbar puncture yielded white blood cell counts lower than 10×106/L in 8 infants. Two subjects had CSF white blood cell counts of 11 × 106/L and 14×106/L. Cerebrospinal fluid glucose (2.8±0.9 mmol/L) and protein (1.15 ± 0.32 g/L) concentrations were also unremarkable. Infants were treated with parenteral antibiotics for 19±5 days. There was no mortality or short-term morbidity. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a recognized cause of nosocomial meningitis in low-birth-weight infants and frequently occurs without CSF abnormalities.(AJDC. 1989;143:580-582)