Pseudomonas plecoglossicida meningitis: A potential evolving human pathogen and a threat to public health: Pseudomonas plecoglossicida meningitis in Ghana

Abraham Kwadzo Ahiakpa; Emmanuel Oppong  Buamah; Aisha Vinolia  Eisa-Ansah; Michael Kibuti Ohene-Yeboah; Abigail  Afful; Felicia  Akuribire

doi:10.28982/josam.8232

Authors

Abraham Kwadzo Ahiakpa Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Hospital, Battor, P.O. Box 2, Battor, V/R, via Sogakope road, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2037-9167
Emmanuel Oppong Buamah Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Hospital, Battor, P.O. Box 2, Battor, V/R, via Sogakope road, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0303-8878
Aisha Vinolia Eisa-Ansah Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Hospital, Battor, P.O. Box 2, Battor, V/R, via Sogakope road, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5647-8212
Michael Kibuti Ohene-Yeboah Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Hospital, Battor, P.O. Box 2, Battor, V/R, via Sogakope road, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6984-5409
Abigail Afful Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Hospital, Battor, P.O. Box 2, Battor, V/R, via Sogakope road, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0410-7388
Felicia Akuribire Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Hospital, Battor, P.O. Box 2, Battor, V/R, via Sogakope road, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2085-5559

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.8232

Keywords:

Pseudomonas, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, Meningitis, Human pathogen, Threat, Public health

Abstract

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, a well-known fish pathogen, seems to have evolved into a human pathogen, inciting a public health concern. We present a rare case of community-acquired Pseudomonas plecoglossicida meningitis in a healthy adult. A 49-year-old male, a “Galamsey” (water-based, small-scale gold mining) operator, presented with one week’s history of headache, neck and whole-body stiffness. On further questioning, he revealed that he was unable to open his mouth and could not walk due to severe back pain and body stiffness. There was a preceding history of sore throat of four days duration. Examination revealed nuchal rigidity, and positive Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s signs. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed high protein and glucose levels, with normal cell counts. A culture of CSF isolated gram-negative bacilli, found to be Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, was sensitive to Ceftazidime, Cefepime and Meropenem. Clinical features were completely resolved without any clinical evidence of complications after a full course of tailored treatment. We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida meningitis with some diagnostic challenges. This underscores the urgent need for establishment of public health surveillance systems to identify similar cases especially in “Galamsey” zones in Ghana and similar settings, in order to mitigate their pathogenic burden.

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