Destructive meningitis cases raise concerns about emerging pathogen
Medical Xpress
February 15, 2026
Penn State College of Medicine is reporting on two cases of destructive infant meningitis linked to Paenibacillus infection, documenting severe neurologic injury and raising concerns about diagnosis and treatment. Reports from Uganda first linked these organisms to destructive neonatal infections, including cases with abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, seizures, and extensive brain injury. Similar cases have since been recognized in multiple U.S. states and routine antibiotic regimens for infant bacteremia and meningitis may be inadequate when Paenibacillus is involved.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/15/2026