Early-Onset Neonatal Meningitis Caused by an Unusual Pathogen‐Moraxella catarrhalis

Abstract

Introduction Moraxella catarrhalis are part of the normal flora of the human respiratory tract and are known to have low pathogenic potential. The organism is rarely reported in the literature as the causative agent of meningitis. We report the first case of early-onset neonatal meningitis associated with M. catarrhalis from Nepal. Case Report A 3-day-old baby with fever and yellowish discolouration of the body since 48 hrs was admitted to the neonatal ward. The baby developed 3 episodes of seizures in the form of uprolling of eyes on the first day of admission during phototherapy course for raised serum bilirubin. Sepsis screen was positive, and meningitis was confirmed as the cerebrospinal fluid culture grew M. catarrhalis. Cranial ultrasound scan was normal. The baby received a 21-day course of intravenous cefotaxime and amikacin. Recovery has been uneventful to date. Conclusion Neonatal meningitis is a life-threatening infection. This case report presents an uncommon aetiology of neonatal meningitis which can be misidentified in the diagnostic bacteriology laboratory in resource constraints area like ours.

A Unique Case of Moraxella catarrhalis Meningitis Following Neurosurgical Intervention

“…The prognosis in Moraxella catarrhalis infections can be favorable with appropriate antibiotic therapy, as evidenced in pediatric cases [12,13]; however, adult cases, particularly those involving meningitis or other…”

“…The prognosis in Moraxella catarrhalis infections can be favorable with appropriate antibiotic therapy, as evidenced in pediatric cases [ 12 , 13 ]; however, adult cases, particularly those involving meningitis or other severe manifestations, require careful management and may have a more guarded outlook due to the potential for severe outcomes and complications.…”

Towards accurate exclusion of neonatal bacterial meningitis: a feasibility study of a novel 16S rDNA PCR assay

“…Bacterium-specific PCR has not been widely used in the diagnosis of meningitis in newborn babies since it can be caused by many types of bacteria: some more common (e.g. Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli) [12][13][14]35], some less so [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48].…”

Towards accurate exclusion of neonatal bacterial meningitis: a feasibility study of a novel 16S rDNA PCR assay.

“…Bacterium-speci c PCR has not been widely used in the diagnosis of meningitis in newborn babies since it can be caused by many types of bacteria: some more common (e.g. Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli) [12][13][14]25], some less so [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48].…”