Pseudomonas Meningitis

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