STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS CSF INFECTION IN 3 VENTRICULAR SHUNTED CHILDRENWITH NORMAL LUMBAR CSF

The authors report on three cases of staphylococcal cerebrospinal flui d (CSF) infection with normal white blood cell count and normal CSF gl ucose level in repeated lumbar CSF examination. All three children (2 months, 17 months and 4 years old) have been operated for neonatal hyd rocephalus with setting of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt one to two mo nths before. Infection was suspected because of fever without evocativ e clinical signs. In two cases plasma C reactive protein level was inc reased, and in all three cases a leucocytosis was present. The diagnos is was made by bacteriological examination of the ventricular CSF. Bot h surgical and medical management were required and the bacteriologica l outcome was favourable. Since neurological sequellae may occur if th e treatment is delayed such atypical infection needs to be promptly as sessed.