The nuchal rigidity (stiff neck) suggest meningitis. Numerous neutrophils in the cerebrospinal fluid suggests a bacterial pathogen. The best answer of those listed is Escherichia coli, which is normally a gut organism, but can infect neonates who acquire the organism during passage through the bih canal. Coxsackievirus is a cause of acute lymphocytic meningitis. Herpes virus is a cause of lymphocytic meningitis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a cause of chronic meningitis.