Herellea Meningitis Following Ventriculography

With increasing frequency, members of the bacteriologic tribeMimeaeare being recognized as pathogens in man.1-3These Gramnegative pleomorphic bacteria are so named because their morphological characteristics mimic theNeisseriagroup, especially the gonococcus. As with many other Gramnegative bacteria, these organisms may cause serious infections in hosts with impaired resistance, especially infants and the elderly. Nevertheless, they may also seriously affect those with apparently adequate resistance.1Three species may be distinguished by use of fermentation reactions:Mima polymorpha, Herellea vaginicola(often calledBacterium anitratum), andColloides anoxydana.1Herclleahas been further subdivided on the basis of serological typing.2 We describe here an infant in whomHerelleameningitis most probably resulted from injection of contaminated air into the ventricles, although, in a case such as this, inadequate antisepsis or use of a contaminated needle cannot be ruled out. Report of a Case A white male infant