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Abstract
Propionibacterium acnes is a pleomorphic gram-positive anaerobic rod usually isolated
as a contaminant from skin. We report three cases of P. acnes infection of central
nervous system shunts for hydrocephalus. The organism was seen repeatedly on gram
stain in a specimen of shunt fluid in all three cases; initially, it was regarded
as a contaminant. In addition, two of the patients had precipitins to extracts of
their organism. Serum from normal control subjects had no such precipitins. One of
the patients had an immune-complex glomerulonephritis—an entity not previously associated
with anaerobic organisms. All three patients recovered after removal of the shunt
and treatment with antibiotics. P. acnes is a significant pathogen in patients with
central nervous system shunts.
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
January 28,
1976
Identification
Copyright
© 1976 Published by Elsevier Inc.
