Rhodococcus meningitis in an immunocompetent host

Abstract

Rhodococcus species are increasingly being recognized as pathogens, especially in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Most cases of rhodococcus infection in these patients are due to Rhodococcus equi and involve the lungs. CNS infections due to Rhodococcus species are rare, and meningitis due to non-equi Rhodococcus has never been reported in a healthy host. We report a case of meningitis due to non-equi Rhodococcus in a previously healthy 24-year-old woman. We also review and summarize the reported cases of CNS infections caused by Rhodococcus species.