Spontaneous Escherichia coli meningitis in an adult

Spontaneous meningitis due to Gram-negative bacilli (excluding Hemophilus i nfluenzae) is an infrequent infection in adult patients. It usually occurs in patients with underlying immunosuppressive conditions. Most of the cases are due to Escherichia coli and represent a complication of bacteraemia. T he infection has a high mortality rate which may be as high as 90%, especia lly if associated with septicaemia. We report the case of a 53-y-old man wi th spontaneous, community-acquired Escherichia coli meningitis who was admi tted with an unusual presentation. Blood and urine cultures were negative.