Meningitis Due to Bacillus Anthracis

Abstract

The first case of haemorrhagic meningitis due to Bacillus anthracis in the European part of Turkey is reported here. B. anthracis, sensitive to penicillin, was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures. Although appropriate therapy was administered, the patient died two days after hospitalization.

CT and MRI Findings of Anthrax Meningoencephalitis; Case Report

“…In addition, prominent diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement was shown in this study (19). Similar findings were reported in the patients with anthrax meningoencephalitis in literature (7,11,13). Compatible with previous reports, we detected brain edema, subarachnoid hemorrhages and hydrocephalus in our patient.…”

“…In the literature, the most common histopathological findings of anthrax meningoencephalitis are necrotizing vasculitis, cerebral infarction, edema, hemorrhagic meningitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, multifocal subarachnoid or intraparenchymal hemorrhages (3). Hemorrhagic meningitis was detected in 6 of 8 patients with anthrax meningoencephalitis which were reported in Turkey (7,(14)(15)(16)(17). Also hemorrhagic meningitis and subarachnoid hemorrhage were observed in our patient.…”

“…The primary sources were cutaneous in 5 cases, respiratory in one case of the 8 patients with anthrax meningoencephalitis reported in Turkey. With two of them the source was not identified (7,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Relatives of our patient reported that he ate meat from a sick cow before a few days in their village.…”

“…Also CSF from lumbar puncture was positive for B. anthracis DNA by PCR Growth of the anthrax bacilli in CSF cultures is accepted as gold standard but it can take time (3). The major neurological complication of anthrax meningoencephalitis is mortal subarachnoid hemorrhages (5)(6)(7)(9)(10)(11). In the literature, the most common histopathological findings of anthrax meningoencephalitis are necrotizing vasculitis, cerebral infarction, edema, hemorrhagic meningitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, multifocal subarachnoid or intraparenchymal hemorrhages (3).…”

Evaluation of 23 cutaneous anthrax patients in eastern Anatolia, Turkey: diagnosis and risk factors*

“…Secondary infection, toxemic shock, airway obstruction, eyelid deformity, temporal artery inflammation, deep tissue necrosis, and meningitis may occur in patients with CA 16,19,20 . In our study, airway obstruction necessitating tracheotomy developed in two patients, eyelid deformity in three patients, nosocomial pneumonia requiring tracheotomy in two patients, and toxemic shock in one patient.…”