Adult intracranial infection caused by an extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing strain of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae: a case report

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a conditional pathogen related to several infectious diseases. Few studies reported Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis in the Chinese population, guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis should be considered due to its high lethality. Here, we report a case of adult intracranial infection caused by extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) in a 65-year-old female, providing new insight for clinical awareness and epidemiological surveillance for ESBL-producing hvKP infection. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 65-year-old female who had a recurrent fever for more than 1 month, and vomiting for 1 week was admitted to our hospital. The computed tomography (CT) results and laboratory results indicated systematic infection, and the blood culture confirmed the infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae. A combination of antibiotics including vancomycin, caspofungin, dexamethasone, and posaconazole oral suspension was given to the patient. Further, she exhibited a convulsion with unconsciousness, the CT revealed lacunar infarction and encephalomalacia. The following physical examination showed slight neck resistance, a weak light response of the eye, low muscle tension, suspicious left Babinski sign (+), and right Babinski sign (−). The CT and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses confirmed the diagnosis of intracranial infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. We employed CSF microbial metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was employed and the results suggested the high sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae with drug-resistant gene SHV-type beta-lactamases (blaSHV). Subsequently, 2 g meropenem every 8 hours (q8h) prolonged for 3 hours was applied to treat intracranial infection, and her body temperature and infectious manifestations were gradually relieved. The CT results represented that pulmonary edema and pleural effusion were gradually dissipated and absorbed. Based on the improvement of clinical manifestations, the patient was discharged from the hospital and a close follow-up was conducted. CONCLUSIONS: An ESBL-producing strain of hvKP could lead to invasive infection such as severe intracranial infection, with a relatively favorable prognosis. The outcome of the disease caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae infection is firmly related to the phenotypic features, for instance, virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility. Due to its high lethality, timely empiric anti-infection therapy and close surveillance are necessary for patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in the clinic.