Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection With Lactobacillus rhamnosus in Patient Taking Probiotic Supplement

A 15-year-old female with a past medical history of L3 myelomeningocele and Chiari II malformation who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in infancy was admitted to the hospital with signs of elevated intracranial pressure and was found to have a shunt infection. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures grew Lactobacillus rhamnosus . The patient had recently been taking an oral probiotic supplement in an attempt to avoid Clostridioides difficile infection while on antibiotic treatment for a urinary tract infection. Her shunt was removed and replaced, and she ultimately made a full recovery. L. rhamnosus is a rare cause of invasive infections that should be considered in patients with indwelling hardware who have recently been taking probiotic supplements.