In the neutropenic patient, which of the following wound be most commonly encountered as a cause of bacterial meningitis and brain abscess?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Staphylococcus aureus
Haemophilus influenzae
Bacteroides fragilis
The pneumococcus is the most common cause of adult meningitis. In the immunocompromised patient, however, gram-negative meningitis with Pseudomonas is seen. Haemophilus influenzae is the most common cause in children over a month old. Staphylococcal meningitis is seen with penetrating head wounds. Ref: Brooks G.F. (2013). Chapter 16. Pseudomonads, Acinetobacters, and Uncommon Gram-Negative Bacteria. In G.F. Brooks (Ed), Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 26e.