Bacillus cereus meningoencephalitis in preterm infants: neuroimaging characteristics.

Background and Purpose: Meningoencephalitis can severely damage the developing brain. Preterms are more prone for nosocomial infections with pathogens other than Group B streptococci and Escherichia coli. In this report we focus on the deleterious clinical course and imaging characteristics of proven Bacillus cereus meningoencephalitis.
Methods: We collected 3 cases of proven Bacillus cereus meningoencephalitis. In the medical records we focused on prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal risk factors. Imaging data of several brain ultrasounds, MR images, and diffusion-weighted images were reevaluated.
Results: The ultrasound and MR images show a typical pattern of mainly hemorrhagic and early cavitating, selective white matter destruction.
Conclusion: Knowledge of this paradigm of acquired brain injury may help to better understand the natural course of these severe neonatal infections.