Central nervous system infection by Bacillus cereus: a case report and literature review

Introduction. Bacillus cereus is a ubiquitous pathogen that usually produces self-limiting gastrointestinal symptoms. However, in susceptible patients, it can lead to central nervous system infections which are potentially fatal. Development. We present the case of a 10-year-old male under chemotherapy treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During the induction period he developed a brain abscess due to B. cereus which was diagnosed through imaging tests and direct detection in the cerebrospinal fluid. His evolution was favorable with antibiotic treatment. Conclusions. So far, 26 other cases of central nervous system infections due to B. cereus have been described in literature, and besides being infrequent, they are a diagnostic challenge. However, in preterm infants, patients with hematological malignancies or central nervous system surgery, early suspicion should be established to start an appropriate antibiotic treatment and improve prognosis.