Fulminant purpura during Streptococcus suis meningitis and septicaemia

Streptococcus suis type 2 has been isolated from cerebro spinal fluid and blood cultures of a young man presenting an haemorragic syndrome during a meningitis consecutive to occasional wounds while handling infected pig, The microbiological diagnosis is done through conventional tests and the Lancefield precipitation test which allows a group R identification, Intravascular coagulation was biologically detected, Althought often isolated as a commensal, S. suis may induce meningitis in pigs; human cases are not frequent, rarely begin by petechiae and are mainly observed among occupationaly exposed patients; in fact, S. suis infections are considered an industrial disease in slaughter-house workers, butchers and pig breeders, who often injure their hands while exposed to infected animals and meat, S. suis meningitis is listed as an industrial disease since april 1987 in the United Kingdom, Large confluent haemorragic areas associated with an intravascular coagulation are original caracteristics of this case.