[Systemic infection caused by Streptococcus suis]

Abstract

Streptococcus suis type 2 was isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid in a 49-year-old butcher as the causative organism of a generalized septic infection with meningeal involvement. High-dosage penicillin G treatment quickly terminated the fever and all neurological signs disappeared completely. Streptococcus suis type 2 causes a zoonosis, which usually occurs as an occupational disease among those handling pigs or pork (farmers, butchers etc.). Sequelae of such infection not rarely are damage to the VIIIth cranial nerve, especially loss of hearing.