Clinical characteristics of brain abscesses secondary to Streptococcus intermedius in children: a case report and systematic literature review

Background Brain abscess is a relatively rare and potentially life-threatening infection in children. Streptococcus intermedius ( S. intermedius ) is one of the primary causes of brain abscess in children. Multiple brain abscesses due to S. intermedius are rare in immunocompetent children without underlying diseases. Case presentation We report a single case of a 7-year-old Chinese immunocompetent boy without underlying disease who was diagnosed with multiple brain abscesses caused by S. intermedius . The PubMed database was screened for English- and French-language articles concerning brain abscess due to S. intermedius in children. Forty-two patients with individual information were identified. All included reports were analyzed in terms of baseline characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of described patients. Conclusion Male predominance was observed in children with S. intermedius brain abscess. Most cases occur from the ages of 6–18 years. Not all children with brain abscesses due to S. intermedius have chronic underlying diseases or acute predisposing factors. Healthcare professionals should remain alert to indicative clinical symptoms, ensuring timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for a favorable prognosis.