A Case of Late-Onset Group B Streptococcus Serotype Ib Meningitis With Absence of Pleocytosis at the Initial Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis

Bacterial meningitis in infants is a life-threatening illness that survives significant neurological sequelae that remain in survivors. The current diagnostic gold standard for meningitis is bacterial isolation from culture or molecular diagnostics in the cerebrospinal fluid. The decision for antibiotics therapy before bacterial detection is made on microscopic and biochemical findings in the cerebrospinal fluid, however, some patient shows no microscopic finding and pleocytosis at the initial cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Herein, we report a case of late-onset group B Streptococcus serotype Ib meningitis that could be introduced with timelier antibiotic therapy even in the absence of pleocytosis without the detection of bacteria on smear at the initial CSF analysis.

Automated summary

Bacterial meningitis in infants is a life-threatening illness that can cause serious neurological sequelae. The current diagnostic gold standard is to isolate bacteria from cerebrospinal fluid through culture or molecular diagnostics. In some cases, timely antibiotic therapy can be introduced even in the absence of pleocytosis and bacterial detection on smear at the initial CSF analysis. This case report presents a late-onset group B Streptococcus serotype Ib meningitis case.