[Fulminant sepsis caused by Streptococcus suis].

A 26-year-old man, in daily contact with pigs was admitted to hospital with septic shock which appeared to be caused by Streptococcus suis type 2 infection. Despite immediate antibiotic therapy a multiple organ failure developed, with ARDS, cardiac failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure. Streptococcus suis infection is a zoonosis. The bacterium can be isolated from the tonsils of a significant part of the Dutch pig population. Mainly people who are in close contact with pigs or pork become infected. Usually meningitis develops. Sepsis, as this case, is rare and often fatal.