We report the case of a six-month-old male infant with
brain abscess caused by Salmonella typhimurium. Upon admission, he was suffering from
fever,
diarrhea, drowsiness and convulsion. Salmonella
meningitis was identified by CSF examination. Following failure of
antibiotic therapy to control his
fever, brain computerized tomography (CT) was ordered 5 days later and revealed a
brain abscess. He received surgical excision of the
abscess and recovered completely after receiving
ceftriaxone therapy for 8 weeks. The case of our patient, together with 11 cases of Salmonella
brain abscess from the English literature are reviewed. There was a male preponderance among these patients (male: female = 2.67 : 1) and the majority were less than one year old. Salmonella typhimurium, typhi, and enteritidis occurred most frequently.
Fever, seizure, signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and change in mental status were the most common clinical features. Purulent
meningitis was a major predisposing factor. Successful treatment was associated with early identification, prompt surgical intervention, high dose, long-term
antibiotic therapy, and close follow-up for possible recurrence and to determine the presence of neurological sequelae.