Meningitis due to Ochrobactrum anthropi: an emerging nosocomial pathogen. A report of 3 cases

Abstract

We describe 3 cases of Ochrobactrum anthropi meningitis following the implantation of pericardial allograft tissue to cover dural defects following craniotomy. Following an extensive epidemiologic investigation, the tissue allograft was found to have been contaminated with this unusual organism during the harvesting and processing of the tissue in the tissue bank. This organism was only susceptible to imipenem, tetracycline, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin. The clinical presentation of these patients was subacute. Two of the patients developed osteomyelitis of the bone flap; while another developed a relapse of infection along a former ventriculoperitoneal shunt track 6 months after the initial infection. Appropriate clinical outcome was only observed after removal of tissue allograft implants, debridement of devitalized tissue and bone, removal of shunt devices, and prolonged courses of antibiotics. No deaths were observed.