Enterobacter Cloacae as a Rare Cause of Cerebral Abscesses in a Neonatal Late-Onset Sepsis – A Case Report and Literature Review with Focus on Risk Factors, Diagnostics and Treatment

Authors

Yıldız Yıldırım, Department of Pediatrics, Helios Klinikum, (Academic Hospital of RWTH Aachen University), Krefeld, GermanyFollow
Ruy Perez, Department of Pediatrics, Helios Klinikum, (Academic Hospital of RWTH Aachen University), Krefeld, Germany
Rüdiger Wentzell, Department of Pediatrics, Rheinlandklinikum, Neuss, Germany
Clemens Andrée, Department of Pediatrics, Helios Klinikum, (Academic Hospital of RWTH Aachen University), Krefeld, Germany
Martin Weinzierl, Department of Neurosurgery and spinal surgery, Helios Klinikum, (Academic Hospital of RWTH Aachen University), Krefeld, Germany
Norbert Utz, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Helios Klinikum, (Academic Hospital of RWTH Aachen University), Krefeld, Germany
Tim Niehues, Department of Pediatrics, Helios Klinikum, (Academic Hospital of RWTH Aachen University), Krefeld, Germany

Abstract

Late-onset sepsis (LOS; sepsis occurring after the first 72 hours of life) increases the morbidity and mortality of premature neonates, especially those with very-low-birth weight (≤1500g). In LOS, Enterobacter cloacae has been rarely described as a cause of secondary brain abscesses. Our case report summarizes important aspects of cerebral abscesses due to an E. cloacae sepsis in a preterm neonate. Our patient received surgical abscess drainage and rational antibiotic treatment employing prolonged meropenem infusions plus fosfomycin and subsequent treatment with oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Furthermore, we present a review of the current literature from 2009-2022, comparing cases similar to our case.

Recommended Citation

Yıldırım, Yıldız; Perez, Ruy; Wentzell, Rüdiger; Andrée, Clemens; Weinzierl, Martin; Utz, Norbert; and Niehues, Tim (2025) "Enterobacter Cloacae as a Rare Cause of Cerebral Abscesses in a Neonatal Late-Onset Sepsis – A Case Report and Literature Review with Focus on Risk Factors, Diagnostics and Treatment," Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Vol. 20: Iss. 3, Article 10.
Available at: https://jpid.researchcommons.org/journal/vol20/iss3/10