Cure of Ommaya reservoir associated Staphylococcus epidermidis ventriculitis with a simple regimen of vancomycin and rifampin without reservoir removal.

Staphylococcus epidermidis ventriculitis developed in a patient undergoing treatment for meningeal lymphoblastic lymphoma via Ommaya subcutaneous reservoir. Treatment with a regimen of intravenous and intraventricular vancomycin and oral rifampin resulted in prompt cure of the infection without removal of the reservoir. The antibiotic therapy, guided by CSF bacteriocidal levels, was convenient to administer, nontoxic, and well tolerated. No interruption of lymphoma treatment was necessary.