INTRODUCTION: An adult with community-acquired Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis presented with a subacute course, deafness, and a predominantly lymphocytic CSF cell count. METHODS: Eighteen reported cases of C. canimorsus meningitis in adults were analyzed. RESULTS: In about half the cases, CSF contained less than 1,000 leukocytes/microL or lymphocyte percentages 30%. These figures differ from those usually seen in meningitis caused by the classic meningeal pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: C. canimorsus should be included among the causes of sporadic lymphocytic meningitis in adults, in particular if the presentation involves deafness.
INTRODUCTION: An adult with community-acquired Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis presented with a subacute course, deafness, and a predominantly lymphocytic CSF cell count. METHODS: Eighteen reported cases of C. canimorsus meningitis in adults were analyzed. RESULTS: In about half the cases, CSF contained less than 1,000 leukocytes/microL or lymphocyte percentages 30%. These figures differ from those usually seen in meningitis caused by the classic meningeal pathogens. CONCLUSIONS:C. canimorsus should be included among the causes of sporadic lymphocytic meningitis in adults, in particular if the presentation involves deafness.