Alpha-hemolytic streptococcal septicemia and meningitis in immunocompromised children

Abstract

Many kinds of microorganisms can produce toxic septicemia in immunocompromised hosts. We are reporting alpha-hemolytic streptococcal septicemia and meningitis in two children with hematological malignancies. [Case 1] 6 year old girl who had been suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia. She had sepsis and bacterial meningitis in maintenance-therapy for leukemia. Streptococcus sanguis was isolated from the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). [Case 2] 11 year old girl who had had malignant lymphoma (non-Hodgkin type). She also had sepsis and bacterial meningitis due to Streptococcus mitis which was isolated from blood and CSF in maintenance-therapy. Both cases had been treated with anti-cancer drugs and had severe granulocytopenia. Positive rate of blood cultures during the recent 6 years (1984.1-1989.12) at our department was 6.0% (total number of cultures were 2,019, positive cultures were 121). Strains of 131 bacteria were determined; Gram-positive cocci were 70 strains (53.4%) and Gram-negative rods were 52 strains (39.7%). Fifteen strains (11.5%) of alpha-hemolytic Streptococci were isolated during 6 years. One hundred thirteen cases of septicemia were analysed in medical charts and 12 cases of alpha-hemolytic streptococcal septicemia were observed (5 cases with infective endocarditis and 7 cases in immunocompromised states).