Streptococcus suis meningitis in a COVID-19 patient: A case report

Abstract

Streptococcus suis is a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacterium and has its natural reservoir in pigs. Infection by this microorganism usually manifests in humans as meningitis, endocarditis, sepsis, and/or arthritis after contact with pigs or pork. Meningitis is a very common manifestation and Streptococcus suis may be considered its second most common cause. A clinical course may manifest acutely or with a more chronic course. Streptococcus suis is endemic in pork-consuming and pig-rearing countries, but may occur all over the world, especially in individuals with occupational exposure to pigs and/or pork, such as abattoir workers, butchers, and farmers. Most infections are observed in adults without preexisting diseases. We report a case of Streptococcus suis meningitis in a healthy patient with occupational exposure and with an asymptomatic infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, who was admitted to an intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital in the North of Portugal.