PSEUDOMONAS MENINGITIS

Abstract

PSEUDOMONAS aeruginosa (Bacillus pyocyaneus) is commonly considered an organism of low pathogenicity. Although it lacks invasive properties and is usually a relatively avirulent contaminant of wounds, numerous reports of severe or fatal infections caused by this bacterium attest to its potential danger. Possible sources of infection with Pseudomonas have been syringes and needles,¹penicillin solutions,₂catheterization equipment, distilled water,³boric acid solution,⁴analgesics, a mercury manometer used in spinal puncture⁵and, in one case, a wash bottle used in performing a pneumoencephalogram.⁶The pathogenic importance of Ps. aeruginosa has increased recently as a result of the widespread use of antibiotics which suppress gram-positive organisms, thus producing unusually favorable conditions for growth of gram-negative bacteria. Meningitis caused by Ps. aeruginosa is often characterized by an indolent, chronic course. This type of meningitis may occur as a localized inflammation of the meninges, after lumbar puncture or trauma to the