Case report: One human Streptococcus suis infection in Shandong Province, China

Background:Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Human infections with S suis have been identified in Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, Africa and Asia. As the most common clinical symptom of human S suis, meningitis develops in 50% to 60% of infected patients, and approximately 60% of the patients with meningitis symptoms have neurologic sequelae. The cost of infection with S suis imposes a tremendous burden on patients' families.Case presentation:A 56-year-old woman was infected with S suis. The patient reared pigs in her backyard. At admission, her blood examination showed a leukocyte count of 27.28 x 109/L with 94.20% neutrophils. Cerebrospinal fluid was cloudy with a leukocyte count of 2700 x 106/L. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures revealed gram-positive cocci identified as S suis type II. Ceftriaxone was then administered.Conclusion:Human infections with S suis highlights the need for health education, prevention and surveillance it.

Automated summary

S suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes severe meningitis. The disease imposes a heavy burden on patients' families.