[Acute Streptococcus salivarius meningitis after spinal anesthesia].

The case of a 50-year-old woman who experienced an acute Streptococcus salivarius meningitis after a spinal anaesthesia for hysteroscopy is reported. The contamination of the cerebrospinal fluid may occur from a puncture during a bacteriaemia. Contamination from the patient's skin and from the upper airway's flora of the operator seems to be a more plausible cause. Spinal anaesthesia is contra-indicated in the febrile patient. Asepsis is essential during spinal puncture, including wearing a surgical face mask.