A case of <i>Streptococcus suis</i> meningitis in which the patient suffered sensorineural hearing loss and requring long-term antibacterial treatment

A man in his 40s was transferred to our hospital due to headache, hearing loss, and altered consciousness, which developed several days after consuming a barbeque meal, including pork. Based on his clinical symptoms and various laboratory findings, he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis, and treatment was initiated with antibacterial agents and dexamethasone. After 3 weeks, his symptoms and laboratory results showed improvement, allowing for the discontinuation of the antibacterial therapy. However, a few days after stopping antibiotics, his symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings worsened, prompting the resumption of antibacterial treatment. The therapy was ultimately terminated after 5 weeks, following confirmation of clinical and CSF improvement. Despite resolution of the meningitis symptoms, the patient was left with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, predominantly affecting his right ear. Following systemic steroid administration and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, his left-sided hearing improved, but no improvement was observed in his right ear, and he continued to experience severe hearing loss.