The First Canadian Case of Moraxella Osloensis Meningitis

Abstract

Moraxella osloensis is a rare cause of bacterial meningitis. There have been eight total reported cases of M. osloensis meningitis to date. We describe a unique case of a 53-year-old male with a history of extensive sinusitis who presented twice with M. osloensis meningitis. The first presentation of meningitis was a fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Upon the second presentation five months later, he had a fever, headache, neck stiffness as well as an altered level of consciousness. He underwent several investigations, including blood work, lumbar puncture, and imaging both times; however, on the second presentation, he had a CT scan of his sinuses, where bony destruction of the cribriform plate, which provided sinus communication to the CSF, contributing to his second presentation of meningitis. This case highlights the consideration of M. osloensis as a causative agent of meningitis in immunocompetent patients in Canada.