Burkholderia Cepacia: A Rare Cause of Bacterial Meningitis

Abstract

Introduction: Burkholderia cepacia gram-negative bacillus is an opportunistic environmental pathogens that can be found in soil, water and contaminated antiseptic solutions and parenteral medications causing infections in immunocompromised individuals with a significant mortality rate. Case report: We report a 70-year-old-man diabetic, fisherman by occupation with signs and symptoms of meningitis and later diagnosed with Burkholderia cepacia meningitis. Patient was successfully treated with intravenous Meropenem and recovered to normal state of health. Burkholderia cepacia is an emerging cause of meningitis with limited antibacterial treatment options. However, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole remains an effective agent which is an excellent alternative therapy. Conclusion: Burkholderia cepacia is a rare cause of meningitis as shown in this case. Burkholderia cepacia is commonly isolated in immunocompromised patients. Burkholderia cepacia is known to show complex antimicrobial susceptibility profile in conjunction with its ability to evade multiple antimicrobials makes its management quite complicated.