Intra-Abdominal Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Abscess from Streptococcus Pyogenes after Pharyngitis with Scarlet Fever: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Journal Title: Neuro – Open Journal - Year 2014, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Objective: Infection is one of the most frequent complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts. However, Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) as a causative agent appears to be extremely rare. We present an unusual case of a peritoneal shunt infection due to GAS that occurred after pharyngitis with scarlet fever. Case Description: A 31 year-old woman with congenital shunt-dependent hydrocephalus presented with fever, vomiting, and acute abdominal symptoms several weeks after being treated for pharyngitis and scarlet fever. She was found to have a large intra-abdominal peritoneal catheter-associated abscess that grew out GAS. Results: The patient’s shunt was externalized at the clavicle and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sterile. Her peritoneal abscess was treated by percutaneous drainage, laparotomy, and intravenous antibiotics. More permanent CSF diversion was accomplished via entriculoatrial shunt creation after treatment. She made a full recovery. Conclusion: While shunt infection is an all too common clinical problem, this is the first report of a peritoneal shunt infection caused by GAS after pharyngitis and scarlet fever. Presumably, this infection occurred as a result of haematogenous spread to the shunt site in the abdomen.
Authors and Affiliations
Edward A. Monaco
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP553186
- DOI 10.17140/NOJ-1-107
- Views 139
- Downloads 0
Immunomodulatory Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on T- and B-Cells in a Quiescent State in a Chronic Experimental Model of Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Many drugs have been tested in animal models of MS (e.g., Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE))....
Lipocalin-2 in Stroke
Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. However, limited number of molecularly targeted therapy exists for stroke. Recent studies have shown that Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an acute phase protein m...
Brain Gray Matter Changes Associated with Mindfulness Meditation in Older Adults: An Exploratory Pilot Study using Voxelbased Morphometry
Background: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have previously been associated with structural gray matter changes in normal healthy adults. However, it remains unknown if standardized MBIs can induce similar changes...
Carotid Artery Atheromatosis Detected With Doppler Ultrasonography In Patients With Normal Tension Glaucoma
Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) is an optic progressive neuropathy with intraocular pressures <21 mmHg. It is a disease with multifactorial proposed pathogenetic mechanisms, one of them being intracranial or systemic vascu...
The Diagnostic Role of Neuromuscular Ultrasound in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
The immune-neuropathies are a heterogenous group of peripheral nerve disorders. Their diagnostic classification is mainly based on the documentation of the distribution pattern of peripheral nerve impairment and the resu...