Meningitis caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum in a child.

Clinical case - We report a case of meningitis caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum which occurred in an otherwise healthy child treated for a purulent otitis with a macrolide for the previous 24 h. Comments - Anaerobic bacteria are responsible for about 10% of bacterial infections and for less than 1% of bacterial meningitis. This rate is likely underestimated, due to the specific conditions necessary to sample subjects and to grow anaerobic bacteria. The vital and functional prognosis of meningitis with anaerobic bacteria is linked to the environment in which they occur, and to the quick use of appropriate antibiotics. Looking for and treating a local disease is necessary. Metronidazole is the best choice for performing this, but it must be associated with a third-generation cephalosporin in order to first treat the possible presence of other germs and the growth of penicillinases. (C)' 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.