Unexpected and Sudden Death Due to Undiagnosed Moraxella catarrhalis Meningoencephalitis in a 40-day-old Infant: Case Report and Literature Review

Acute bacterial meningitis in infants and newborns represents a medical emergency and a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Moraxella catarrhalis has been considered a microorganism with low pathogenic potential, and only in exceptional cases has it been found to cause meningitis in infants and immunocompetent people. We will now document an unusual case of an unexpected and sudden death of a 40-day-old infant due to acute meningitis from M. catarrhalis, apparently asymptomatic and subsequently diagnosed by an autopsy. According to our knowledge this is the first case of unexpected infant death due to undiagnosed M. catarrhalis meningitis.
Source: The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology - Category: Forensic Medicine Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research