Abstract

Introduction: Streptococcus suis meningitis, a pathogen zoonotic of pigs, is a rare infection in human. S. suis infection is acquired by handling or eating undercooked pork products. The objective was to report a rare case of infection related to occupational close contact with pork products. Case presentation: A 32-year-old pigs farmer was admitted for severe headaches and intense agitation starting 72 hours ago. At the second day of admission, he felt cold with fever 38.5 °C, agitation, with severe headaches and vomiting. The neck became stiff with positive Kernig and Brudzinski signs. The second CSF was turbid. while waiting for the ADST and the CSF result empirical antibiotics were administrated. Laboratory findings : Laboratory results had shown increased leukocyte count, increased of protein and glucose concentration level and no organism on Gram stain. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was made according to clinical and laboratory signs. CSF culture grew microorganisms which were Gram-positive cocci either in chains or in pairs were catalase- negative. They were identified as Streptococcus suis serotype I. The sample was sent to another lab in France which confirmed three weeks later the same serotype. The microbacteria were sensitive to penicillin and levofloxacin and resistant to clindamycine and tetracycline. After fifteen days of treatment and follow up, all the meningeal symptoms were stopped, and the patient had good recovery with deaf or hearing distrubance. Conclusion: Most of the time meningitis patients are often admitted to psychiatry because of agitation symptoms. Surveillance and good clinical exam help to adjust exact diagnostic with appropriate treatment leading to better outcome. The S. suis infection must be born in mind in the context and history of pig’s contact.

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