FULMINATING ENCEPHALOPATHY ASSOCIATED WIT H SHIGELLA-FLEXNERI INFECTION

Background. - In some rare cases, Shigella flexneri infection may be a ssociated with fulminating encephalopathy. Case report. - A 6-year-old girl was admitted with fever, diarrhea and consciousness abnormalitie s. Brain CT scan was normal. Shigella flexneri type 2 was isolated fro m the stools. Despite antibiotic therapy, the encephalopathy was letha l. Two siblings were also infected the first with only diarrhea, the s econd with headache and mild consciousness abnormalities: both childre n had a favorable course. Conclusions. - Shigella flexneri encephalopa thy is associated with high mortality rate in developped countries. Pr esence of headache could be a poor prognostic factor.