First reported survival of anthrax meningoencephalitis in a low-incidence region: successful management with mNGS-guided combination therapy
Abstract
We report a rare survival case of anthrax meningoencephalitis in a 56-year-old male from a low-incidence region. The patient presented with nasal discharge, fever, headache, and rapid onset of coma following the slaughter of a diseased cow. Physical examination revealed a characteristic ulcerative eschar on the right index finger, while laboratory investigations showed significant leukocytosis and hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characterized by elevated protein and decreased glucose levels. Although initial microscopy misidentified the pathogen as Bacillus cereus, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of the CSF confirmed Bacillus anthracis within 48 hours. This rapid molecular diagnosis enabled a timely switch to a CDC-recommended combination regimen, initially with quadruple therapy (penicillin G, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and linezolid) followed by optimization to triple therapy (penicillin G, levofloxacin, and linezolid) during the ICU stay, ultimately leading to the patient's full neurological recovery. This case underscores that the synergistic use of rapid mNGS-based diagnosis and appropriate combination therapy is critical for achieving survival in anthrax meningoencephalitis.
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