A Rare Case of Primary Pyogenic Ventriculitis in a Patient with Community-acquired Meningitis

Abstract

Pyogenic ventriculitis is defined as the inflammation of the ependymal lining of the cerebral ventricular system. It is characterized by the presence of suppurative fluid in the ventricles. It mostly affects neonates and children but rarely can be seen in adult population. In adults, it usually affects the elderly population. It is usually heaVlthcare associated and occurs secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt, external ventricular drain, intrathecal drug delivery, brain stimulation devices, and neurosurgical intervention. Primary pyogenic ventriculitis though rare should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in patients who do not improve despite an appropriate antibiotic regimen in bacterial meningitis. Our case report on primary pyogenic ventriculitis secondary to community-acquired bacterial meningitis in an elderly diabetic male patient illustrates the importance of utilization of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), repeated neuroimaging, and prolonged course of antibiotics for the successful management and outcome.