Meningitis due to group C streptococci in an adult

Abstract

Group C streptococci are generally considered to be a rare cause of infection in man. Infections due to these microorganisms, however, are common in several animal species. To our knowledge, the literature contains only two previous cases of meningitis in man which were due to group C streptococci. In one of these cases meningitis developed as a complication of endocarditis due to group C streptococci. Our recent clinical experience with a patient with severe acute meningitis caused by group C streptococci is reported and the pertinent literature is reviewed. The illness manifested itself as a severe form of acute meningitis, with slow but statisfactory response to therapy with penicillin.