Leukopenia After Meningitis due to Infection with Elizabethkingia anophelis Combined with Septicaemia: case report and literature review

Abstract

Background Elizabethkingia anophelis, an emerging opportunistic pathogen, is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients, preterm infants, patients with long-term intravenous catheters, patients with underlying diseases (malignancies, diabetes, etc.), and patients in intensive care units undergoing invasive treatment. The complexity of species identification methods, multiple drug resistance, complications and high mortality rate pose great challenges for treatment, and there is no standard treatment.Case presentation We report a case of leukopenia following meningitis and septicaemia in an adult male patient infected with E. anophelis. Despite effective anti-infective therapy, the patient eventually died due to pulmonary infection. Besides, we performed a literature review.Conclusions It is recommended to accurately identify the rare pathogen, such as E. anophelis, and use appropriate antibiotic therapy. In addition, the control of complications is worthy of attention.