Nosocomial meningitis due to <i>Campylobacter fetus</i> subspecies <i>fetus</i> in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

We experienced a nosocomial outbreak of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus (C. fetus) meningitis in a neonatal intensive care unit. A cluster of three infants developed meningitis approximately 1-1.5 months after the index patient was admitted. Two asymptomatic intestinal carriers of C. fetus were detected during the outbreak. Our experience indicates that C. fetus can cause nosocomial meningitis in neonates, and asymptomatic carriers may play a role in the transmission of the organism.