Meningitis due to beta-hemolytic non-A, non-D streptococci among adults at a cancer hospital: report of four cases and review.

Four cases of meningitis due to beta-hemolytic non-A, non-D streptococci among adult patients with neoplastic disease are reported. All four patients had head or neck tumors for greater than or equal to 4 years, and all had undergone surgery for these tumors. Three of four patients had received local radiation therapy. None of the patients were neutropenic. One patient died. A review of the literature revealed that most patients with non-A, non-D streptococcal meningitis had disruption of the normal barrier protecting the CNS due to trauma, surgery, or the presence of a tumor, or had extensive exposure to animals or an underlying medical disease. Infection with non-A, non-D streptococci should be considered in any patient with meningitis who has a tumor of the head or neck and who has undergone surgery and/or radiation therapy.