Group C streptococcal meningitis in an adult. Probable acquistion from a horse

Abstract

Although group C streptococci are infrequent pathogens in man, they commonly cause disease in animals. Only recently have they been recognized as a causative agent in meningitis in man. To our knowledge, no previous report has documented a source for the infection. We treated a previously healthy young adult with group C streptococcal meningitis, who responded rapidly to antibiotic therapy. The same species (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) that was isolated from the CSF of the patient also grew from the pharynx of the patient's horse.