Otitic Meningitis Due to Bacillus Proteus

Bacillus proteus is an actively motile gram-negative organism which grows readily on ordinary mediums at room temperature. It is hemolytic and proteolytic. It is widely distributed in nature, being found in almost all putrefactive matter of animal origin, in soil contaminated by animal excretions, in stagnant pools and in sewage. It is commonly found in the mouth, on the skin and in the urine and feces of normal persons; however, this organism is capable of producing severe infections. Its presence has been reported frequently in such conditions as otitis media, cystitis, pyelitis and war wounds and rarely in meningitis. In 1922 Kernan1reported 2 cases of B. proteus infection, in one of which the infection originated from a peritonsillar abscess and in the other, from chronic otitis media associated with an epidural abscess. A positive blood culture was obtained in the latter case. Both cases terminated fatally. In 1924 Warren