A neonate with focal cerebritis caused by Campylobacter fetus

A patient had recurrent pyrexia since 17 days of age followed by convulsions. At 20 days of age, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed mild pleocytosis, whereas bacterial culture of blood and CSF was negative and computed tomography was unremarkable. Campylobacter fetus grew from CSF sampled at 22 days of age and head computed tomography revealed low-density area in the left frontal lobe. The patient was diagnosed as having focal cerebritis and treated with intravenous ampicillin and cefotaxime successfully. Although West syndrome developed at 4 months of age, his psychomotor development was within normal range. Our patient shows that neonatal C. fetus infection can cause focal cerebritis.