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Tiffany Garza
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) meningitis
Disease Report
The disease Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) meningitis,
is significantly rare and is almost always
fatal. MRSA meningitis is a central nervous
system infection often caused by a MRSA
infection after a neurological operation.
MRSA itself is often treated with immediate
medical attention. However, it usually is only
just a skin and soft tissue infection (1).
Bacterial Meningitis is a fatal disease that
occurs when S. pneumonia, H. influenza, or
other bacterias (1) directly invade the
meninges.
(MRSA infection of the skin and soft tissue)
MRSA meningitis often occurs in
people at an older age, and those with
infections such as endocarditis and
pneumonia; It is also seen in post-operative
patients.
affected by different strains at different
ages. MRSA meningitis is not a contagious
disease, because the bacteria are unable to
survive outside of the body for a long period
of time.The symptoms may begin with a
worsening headache near the occipital lobe
area, and a high fever. Which progress into
a stiff neck, vomiting, and sensitivity to light
(1). In some cases, the patient may develop
a left or right facial droop, eye horizontal
palsy, slurred speech, and dysmetria. The
symptoms are caused by restricted diffusion
of water molecules across the brain, and a
formed abscess appears from the bacterial
infection.
(CT scan showing large abscess)
Treatment for this disease is difficult
because of the location of the infection.
Antibiotics may be prescribed, but will do
little to help kill the infection, only if an
abscess has already formed. The antibiotics
and medicine prescribed are: cefotaxime or
ceftriaxone, and vancomycin or rifampicin
(1). The antibiotics should be given for
about 4-6 weeks depending on the state of
the infection. If an abscess has formed, it
should be surgically drained and removed.
Any other foreign bodies should be removed
as well, to prevent any further growth and
worsening of the infection (2). Overall, if the
infection is caught early, the patient will
have a better response to treatment. If
MRSA meningitis is diagnosed too late, then
treatment can be less effective, and can
often lead to permanent disability or death.
To prevent MRSA meningitis, all
predisposing factors, such as left eye
cellulitis and skin infections should be
treated (2). Post-neurological operation
patients are more likely to obtain this
disease, so post-operational steps should
be taken carefully. All incisions should be
closed correctly and it is vital for patients to
take the full amount of antibiotics given after
surgery. Otherwise, they are more
susceptible to a more life-threatening
infection.

References:

(1) Longhurst, W. & Sheele, J. (2018). Spontaneous Methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus meningitis.The American Journal of Emergency
Medicine,Volume36,909.e1-909.e3.file:///C:/Users/Tiff's
%20Baby/Desktop/Micro/1-s2.0-S0735675718301128-main.pdf
(2) Pereira, N. & Shahah, I. & Ohri, A. & Shah, F. (2015). Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus meningitis. Oxford Medical Case Reports, 364-366.
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