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At least 1,225 records · Page 68Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Recurrent Mollaret's meningitis of herpetic origin].

BACKGROUND: Benign recurrent meningitis, or Mollaret's meningitis, is an uncommon disease whose viral origin was long unidentified. Since 1991, about twenty cases have been reported in patients with herpes infection. CASE REPORT: A female patient had experienced repeated episodes of spontaneous meningitis since 1983. The episodes resolved spontaneously and no etiology had been identified. A spinal tap was performed when the patient was again hospitalized a new episode of meningitis and PCR amplification of the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV 2) was positive. The patient was given long term acyclovir per os. A new spinal tap after resolution of the meningitis episode was PCR HSV2 negative. DISCUSSION: HSV2 infection is one of the known causes of Mollaret's meningitis. Long-term antiviral therapy appears to prevent recurrence as was observed in our patient.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1998

Cochlear ossification after meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the pathologic processes that result in ossification of the cochlear lumen after bacterial meningitis. STUDY DESIGN: The study design was a retrospective case review. SETTING: The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Profoundly deaf postmeningitic patients who underwent cochlear implantation were studied. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic and therapeutic observations were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The extent of cochlear ossification is classified and related to age at which infection occurred, cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count, Gram's stain, organism, and delay between meningitis and implantation. The extent of ossification noted on high-definition computed tomographic (CT) scan is compared with surgical findings and related to the time delays between meningitis, imaging, and surgery. RESULTS: Ossification fell into three groups: gross ossification of the scala tympani and variable amounts of the scala vestibuli; partial ossification localized to the basal turn of the scala tympani; and no ossification. There was no correlation between the extent of ossification and the age when infected, type of pathogen, cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count, and time delay between meningitis and implantation. Visualization of bacteria on Gram's stain was a highly sensitive measure of ossification (0.93) but was not specific (0.6) with positive and negative predictive values of 0.76 and 0.86, respectively. High-definition CT underestimated the extent of ossification in 50% of cases when performed within 6 months of meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: Ossification is either gross or localized to the basal turn of the scala tympani. If ossification does occur, it is rapid and complete within a few months of infection. The visualization of bacteria on Gram's stain is a sensitive indicator for the presence of ossification but has low specificity. High-definition CT, if performed within the first 6 months of meningitis, can be an inaccurate diagnostic tool and therefore should be performed as close to the date of surgery as possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Normocellular bacterial meningitis].

Bacterial meningitis is usually associated with pleocytosis of the cerebrospinal fluid due to the presence of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. However, 75 cases of bacterial meningitis without pleocytosis have been published. Normocellular bacterial meningitis accounts for 3.5% (1-42%) of all patients suffering from bacterial meningitis and is seen in all age groups: The finding can be explained by three different mechanisms including 1) lumbar puncture performed early in the course of meningitis, 2) immune deficiency, and 3) relative leucopenia due to severe sepsis. Normocellular bacterial meningitis is in general associated with a good prognosis except for cases with severe underlying diseases. A high concentration of bacteria in a normocellular cerebrospinal fluid might also indicate a poor prognosis.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

[Bacterial meningitis in the health sector of Virgen del Rocio, Spain].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was review the epidemiology of the bacterial meningitis in our area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out of all the cases of bacterial meningitis in children with ages between two months and fourteen years, admitted in our hospital between 1986 and 1997. The following variables we analyzed: Sex, age of the patient, yearly and monthly incidence, previous antibiotic therapy, length of hospital stay, and analytical data of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: In the 755 cases analyzed, the 50% correspond to bacterial meningitis, the 47.6% to viral or aseptic and 2.3% to tuberculous. In of the bacterial meningitis Neisseria meningitidis was isolated in 55.7% of cases, Haemophilus influenzae in 20.4%, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 5.5%, other bacterias in 3.4%, and in 14.5% was not isolated any bacteria. We are assisting to an increase of Neisseria meningitidis serotype C during the last years. Haemophilus influenzae represents a more percentage of bacterial meningitis that in prior years. In meningitis by Streptococcus pneumoniae we observe a clear association with risk factors in children older than 2 years. CONCLUSION: Neisseria meningitidis is the main etiologic agent in children. The vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae serotype b and Neisseria meningitidis A and C can change the epidemiology in next years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Bacterial meningitis in older children.

A review was performed of 25 cases of bacterial meningitis in previously healthy children aged 6 years or older during a 10-year period. The rate of infection in this age group relative to all cases of pediatric bacterial meningitis was 4%. Pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae type b in 10 cases (40%), Neisseria meningitidis in 9 cases (36%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 6 cases (24%). Physical findings revealed 21 patients (84%) with some degree of altered consciousness and 25 patients (100%) with nuchal rigidity. In all instances, the cerebrospinal fluid exhibited pleocytosis with a predominance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Eleven patients (44%) were afebrile on presentation. Of 22 surviving patients, 10 (45%) were afebrile without subsequent fever after administration of the initial dose of antibiotics, in 5 (23%) fever resolved within 24 hours, and in 6 (27%) fever resolved within 48 hours of treatment; there was no instance of prolonged or secondary fever noted. Death occurred in 3 cases (12%). Bacterial meningitis is uncommon in older children. As compared with younger children, older children with bacterial meningitis commonly present without fever and tend to have their fever resolve shortly after effective antibiotic therapy is initiated without manifesting prolonged or secondary fever patterns. Haemophilus influenzae type b is a common cause of bacterial meningitis in children aged 6 years or older; empirical antibiotic therapy in this clinical situation should include treatment of this pathogen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Detection of transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA in cerebrospinal fluid cells of patients with meningitis by non-radioactive in situ hybridization.

Meningitis is a serious disease mostly caused by viral or bacterial infections. In complicated cases it may lead to brain damage and death. The infection and cell damage result in a cellular and immunological response. Following this, a high secretion of cytokines can be expected. Cytokines, especially tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), promote the inflammatory reactions in the subarachnoid space. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has antagonistic effects on TNF-alpha and IL-1-mediated processes. Therefore, it suppresses inflammatory reactions. To observe the expression of TGF-beta 1 in transcellular signalling in the inflammatory processes of meningitis, we investigated TGF-beta 1 mRNA in cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of three patients with meningitis by non-radioactive in situ hybridization. All patients fulfilled the usual clinical criteria of meningitis. In one case Neisseria menigitidis could be identified as the pathogenic agent. In the remainder, no agent could be isolated. In all cytological preparations of the cerebrospinal fluid of these patients a high level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA was detectable in the cell populations. It was possible to distinguish between the different cell types of the cerebrospinal fluid and to attach the mRNA expression to them. On the one hand, this makes it possible to investigate pathogenesis and defence mechanisms in bacterial and aseptic meningitis on a cellular level; on the other hand, it may open new perspectives in the control of disease development, prognosis, diagnosis and supporting therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Management of bacterial meningitis in infants and children. Current status and future prospects.

Outcome from bacterial meningitis in infants and children has not appreciably changed in a 14-year period from 1969 to 1982 at Children's Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Texas. Overall, the case-fatality rate was 6.4 percent; it was 4.6 percent for 414 patients managed in 1969 to 1972 and 3.9% for 376 patients in 1981 and 1982. In neonatal meningitis due to group B streptococci or coliform bacilli, the fatality rates were comparable in 1969 to 1972 and 1981 and 1982; ampicillin and an aminoglycoside were the mainstays of therapy during these periods. Because of changing susceptibilities of gram-negative enteric bacilli to the aminoglycosidic agents, Haemophilus influenzae to ampicillin and possibly chloramphenicol and of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin, alternatives to conventional therapy must be developed and thoroughly tested. Assessment of new antimicrobial agents in the rabbit model of experimental meningitis provides valuable information on penetration of drug into cerebrospinal fluid, on achievable bactericidal activity in spinal fluid and on the bacteriologic effect of single dose or nine hour infusion therapy. These data are directly applicable to therapy in infants and children with meningitis. Although newer antimicrobial agents such as moxalactam, cefotaxime, or ceftriaxone have greatly enhanced bactericidal activity against the commonly encountered pathogens, outcome from meningitis will not be substantially improved with therapy using these agents. Improved outcome will more likely occur with the advent of therapeutic modalities that prevent or rapidly decrease cerebral edema and cerebritis, thereby preserving cerebral perfusion pressure and cellular integrity.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Risk factors for development of bacterial meningitis among children with occult bacteremia.

To identify risk factors for the development of bacterial meningitis, we compared clinical characteristics in children with occult bacteremia who did and those who did not subsequently develop bacterial meningitis. The estimates of risk were adjusted for the possible confounding effects of other characteristics by using logistic regression. Of 310 children (median age 15 months) who had occult bacteremia with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Neisseria meningitidis at either Yale-New Haven Hospital or Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, bacterial meningitis subsequently developed in 22 (7%). Compared with the risk associated with occult bacteremia with S. pneumoniae, the adjusted relative risk for bacterial meningitis was 85.6 (P less than 0.0001) and 12.0 (P = 0.0001) for N. meningitidis and H. influenzae type b, respectively. By contrast, the adjusted relative risk associated with a lumbar puncture at the initial visit was only 1.2 (P = 0.78). The development of bacterial meningitis in children with occult bacteremia is strongly associated with the species of bacteria that causes the infection, but not with a lumbar puncture or with other clinical characteristics identifiable at the initial visit.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Beta-trace protein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid is decreased in patients with bacterial meningitis.

Although meninges represent a major site of biosynthesis, beta-trace protein (beta-trace) has not been studied in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of meningitis patients. We measured beta-trace in lumbar CSF of normal controls (n = 27) and in patients with various neurological diseases (n = 92) by an immunonephelometric assay. The mean concentration of beta-trace in CSF of control patients was 16.6+/-3.6 mg/l. In bacterial meningitis (n = 41), CSF beta-trace was significantly decreased (8.7+/-3.9 mg/l; P< 0.001), whereas in spinal canal stenosis it was elevated (29.2+/-10.3 mg/l; P= 0.002). In viral meningoencephalitis (n = 12), beta-trace CSF concentrations were normal. Beta-trace concentrations remained below the normal range even after curing of bacterial meningitis, and normalisation of CSF leucocytes and blood-CSF barrier function. Beta-trace may be a useful tool for studying the pathophysiology of bacterial meningitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[MR imaging of the meninges: normal and pathological findings].

The MR appearance of normal and pathological meninges was studied in 23 patients. Amongst twelve normals, T1-weighted images demonstrated the meninges as slightly hyperintense density structures (compared with CSF) which increased in signal intensity somewhat after the administration of gadolinium-DTPA. On T2-weighted images, the subarachnoid space and meninges were isointense. In eleven patients with inflammatory disease or tumourous infiltration of the meninges, abnormal findings were evident in the unenhanced images as well as after administration of gadolinium-DTPA. Compared with CT, MR proved greatly superior in the diagnosis of meningeal abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid lactic acid levels as an aid in differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral meningitis in adults.

The level of lactic acid in cerebrospinal fluid has been suggested as a useful diagnostic parameter to differentiate between bacterial and viral meningitis, especially in patients partially treated before admission to hospital. A concentration of greater than or equal to 35 mg/dl, determined by either gas-liquid chromatography or an enzymatic method, has been considered in several studies to provide definite evidence of meningitis of bacterial origin, whereas a lower level indicates no bacterial involvement. Over the past 18 months, we have analyzed by the enzymatic method the lactate level in 493 spinal fluids submitted from 434 adult patients with various conditions involving the central nervous system. Fifty fluids had a lactate level of greater than 35 mg/dl, of which 19 were cases of infective meningitis of varying etiology. The 435 specimens with lactate levels within the range considered normal included three cases of infective meningitis, of which two were cryptococcal and one was bacterial. In this adult study, the lactate level in the cerebrospinal fluid did not provide unequivocal evidence of bacterial infection and did not provide assistance to any greater degree than the standard parameters of leukocyte count, protein, and glucose contents in the differential diagnosis of bacterial meningitis from that of any other etiology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Use of the directigen latex agglutination test for detection of Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis antigens in cerebrospinal fluid from meningitis patients.

Cerebrospinal fluid specimens from 257 persons were tested for the presence of bacterial antigens by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and the Directigen meningitis test (Hynson, Westcott & Dunning, Div. Becton Dickinson & Co., Baltimore, Md.). The specimens were obtained from 162 patients with meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A and C and from 95 patients without bacterial meningitis or meningitis caused by other bacterial agents. Directigen detected H. influenzae type b antigen in 83% (69 of 83) of the specimens obtained from patients with H. influenzae disease, pneumococcal antigen in 77% (30 of 39) of the specimens from patients with pneumococcal disease, and N. meningitidis antigen in 93% (37 of 40) of the specimens from patients with disease caused by N. meningitidis serogroups A and C. The comparable figures for counterimmunoelectrophoresis were 66% (55 of 83), 79% (31 of 39), and 78% (31 of 40), respectively. No false-positive reactions were reported with the Directigen reagents. Nonspecific reactions (agglutination with more than one of the four Directigen latex reagents) were noted with five specimens. The nonspecific reactions were resolved in four of the five specimens by heating (100 degrees C for 3 min). The accumulated data demonstrate that the sensitivity of the Directigen meningitis test is better than or at least equivalent to the sensitivity of counterimmunoelectrophoresis for the detection of antigens in cerebrospinal fluid.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1994

Antimicrobial treatment and prevention of meningitis.

The efficacy of the conjugate polysaccharide H influenzae type b vaccine has resulted in a reduction in the number of cases of meningitis. Physicians will manage fewer cases of meningitis but they must maintain skills in diagnosis and treatment of the cases that do occur. In addition, to a continuing experience with meningitis due to S pneumoniae and N meningitidis, physicians must be aggressive in obtaining materials for specific diagnosis of aseptic meningitis since many of the infections are treatable with antimicrobial agents. Appropriate treatment of meningitis in children requires knowledge of agents for initial therapy, dosage schedules, changes in the regimen that may be required once the organism is isolated and results of susceptibility tests are available, knowledge of the drugs that require monitoring of serum concentrations to determine safety and efficacy, and antimicrobial prophylaxis for contacts.

Cephalosporins↗
PubMed1978

Acute bacterial meningitis in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, 1 January 1971 through 31 December 1975.

Between 1 January 1971 and 31 December 1975, 1,333 patients with acute bacterial meningitis were admitted to the meningitis ward of the Abbassia Fever Hospital. These cases are tabulated by distribution of diagnosis, seasonal distribution, age and sex distribution, and age-specific case fatality ratio. Results are compared with those of other large series of cases reported from other parts of the world. The annual incidence of acute bacterial meningitis in Egypt varies widely. Recent data show this to be due to variations in the incidence of group A meningococcal meningitis. The study includes the declining phase of an epidemic of that disease and confirms a previously reported finding that the case fatality ratio in group A meningococcal meningitis varies inversely with the annual number of cases.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

[Adult non-viral lymphocytic meningitis in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)].

Our prospective and longitudinal study aimed to analyse the aetiologies, clinical features and prognostic of non viral lymphocytes meningitis (NVLM). We recruited 131 patients, 77 males (59%) and 54 females (41%) sex-ratio 1.4. The mean age was 35 years [15-67]. 117 patients were HIV positive (89%) and 14 (11%) were HIV negative. Feverish meningoencephalitis was present in 85% of cases, with 7 days for mean delay of admission into hospital. 80 germs were found in the C.S.F. 70 Cryptococcus neoformans, 4 Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 Candida albicans, 1 Neisseria meningitis and 1 Trypanosoma gambiense. 63 aetiologies were linked to lymphocytes meningitis by indirect deduction: 41 cases of tuberculous meningitis with lung X-ray anomalies and M. tuberculosis in sputum (11 times), 11 cases of cerebral malaria with Plasmodium falciparum in blood, 11 cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis by significant features with cerebral tomodensitometry. Letality was 53%, 35% of patients improved and 12% were lost to follow-up. Our study shows the difficulties in the management of the NVLM, due to the delay of diagnosis, particularly for tuberculous meningitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence by age and causative organism of bacterial meningitis are not known on a community basis. METHODS: The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in a metropolitan county was studied by identifying all cases admitted to a hospital from 1983 through 1987. RESULTS: The overall incidence of bacterial meningitis was 5 per 100,000 person-years, but numbers of cases ranged from 40 per 100,000 for children younger than 5 years to 1.0 per 100,000 in adults aged between 16 and 64 years. No significant excesses of cases were found in male patients or in blacks. The predominant causative organism varied with age. Overall, Haemophilus influenzae was the most common causative organism, but 32 percent of cases were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Case fatality rates were high for S. pneumoniae (12.5 percent) and very high for the small number of elderly patients suffering from bacterial meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: Significant declines have occurred in the last decade in the incidence of bacterial meningitis in children, particularly in those younger than 5 years, and in disease caused by H. influenzae and group B streptococcus.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bacterial meningitis. Study from 1970 to 1988 at the Regina Margherita Children's Hospital in Turin].

From 1970 to 1988, 330 cases of bacterial meningitis were diagnosed at the Children's Hospital Regina Margherita of Turin. Neisseria meningitidis was the most frequent cause of bacterial meningitis (45%); meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae increased from 4% in 1970-1983 to 19% in 1984-1988, and meningitis with pathogen unknown decreased from 28% in 1970-1983 to 7% in 1984-1988. The neonatal meningitis in 1984-1988 were caused by Streptococcus B in 90% of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Chloride levels in meningitis.

The blood/cerebrospinal fluid bromide ratio is sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Blood/CSF chloride (Cl-) ratios were not found to be useful in differentiating between TBM and viral and acute bacterial meningitis in 59 black children. In a study of 148 children with bacterial or viral meningitis or TBM, the majority (112) had CSF Cl- levels below the lower limit of normal. Accordingly, CSF and blood Cl- levels and the blood/CSF Cl- ratio were not found to be useful in differentiating between TBM, acute bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis.

Child↗