Opportunistic pathogen that causes cerebrospinal meningitis

Pantoea agglomerans (P. agglomerans) is a gram-negative bacterium that is commonly isolated from plant surfaces, seeds, and the environment. As an opportunistic pathogen, it can cause blood, urinary and soft tissue infections in immunocompromised patients. However, central nervous system infection caused by P. agglomerans has never been reported. Here, we report a case of P. agglomerans cerebrospinal meningitis accompanied by positive anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody in a 49-year-old female with a history of black fungus planting. People should be alert to CNS infections caused by P. agglomerans which presented with relatively mild clinical symptoms at onset, especially for those with relevant agricultural and forestry work.