Community-acquired Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis in adults: report of one case with a subacute course and deafness, and literature review.

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.