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van Ettekoven CN, Liechti FD, Brouwer MC, Bijlsma MW, van de Beek D. Global Case Fatality of Bacterial Meningitis During an 80-Year Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2424802. [PMID: 39093565 PMCID: PMC11297475 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance The impact of vaccination, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory treatment on pathogen distribution and outcome of bacterial meningitis over the past century is uncertain. Objective To describe worldwide pathogen distribution and case fatality ratios of community-acquired bacterial meningitis. Data Sources Google Scholar and MEDLINE were searched in January 2022 using the search terms bacterial meningitis and mortality. Study Selection Included studies reported at least 10 patients with bacterial meningitis and survival status. Studies that selected participants by a specific risk factor, had a mean observation period before 1940, or had more than 10% of patients with health care-associated meningitis, tuberculous meningitis, or missing outcome were excluded. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were extracted by 1 author and verified by a second author. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Random-effects models stratified by age (ie, neonates, children, adults), Human Development Index (ie, low-income or high-income countries), and decade and meta-regression using the study period's year as an estimator variable were used. Main Outcome and Measure Case fatality ratios of bacterial meningitis. Results This review included 371 studies performed in 108 countries from January 1, 1935, to December 31, 2019, describing 157 656 episodes. Of the 33 295 episodes for which the patients' sex was reported, 13 452 (40%) occurred in females. Causative pathogens were reported in 104 598 episodes with Neisseria meningitidis in 26 344 (25%) episodes, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 26 035 (25%) episodes, Haemophilus influenzae in 22 722 (22%), other bacteria in 19 161 (18%) episodes, and unidentified pathogen in 10 336 (10%) episodes. The overall case fatality ratio was 18% (95% CI, 16%-19%), decreasing from 32% (95% CI, 24%-40%) before 1961 to 15% (95% CI, 12%-19%) after 2010. It was highest in meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes at 27% (95% CI, 24%-31%) and pneumococci at 24% (95% CI, 22%-26%), compared with meningitis caused by meningococci at 9% (95% CI, 8%-10%) or H influenzae at 11% (95% CI, 10%-13%). Meta-regression showed decreasing case fatality ratios overall and stratified by S pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, or Streptococcus agalactiae (P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance In this meta-analysis with meta-regression, declining case fatality ratios of community-acquired bacterial meningitis throughout the last century were observed, but a high burden of disease remained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis N. van Ettekoven
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, HagaZiekenhuis, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Fabian D. Liechti
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthijs C. Brouwer
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Merijn W. Bijlsma
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Diederik van de Beek
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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De Almeida SM, Barros NC, Petterle R, Nogueira K. Comparison of cerebrospinal fluid lactate with physical, cytological, and other biochemical characteristics as prognostic factors in acute bacterial meningitis. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2020; 77:871-880. [PMID: 31939584 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x20190185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bacterial meningitis (BM) is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate may be used as a prognostic marker of this condition. We hypothesized that CSF lactate levels would remain elevated in participants who died of acute BM compared with those who recovered from this disease. To evaluate the potential use of lactate and other CSF biomarkers as prognostic markers of acute BM outcome. METHODS This retrospective, longitudinal study evaluated dynamic CSF biomarkers in 223 CSF samples from 49 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of acute BM, with bacteria identified by CSF culturing. The participants were grouped according to outcome: death (n = 9; 18.37%) and survival (n = 40; 81.63%). All participants received appropriate antibiotic treatment. RESULTS In the logistic regression model, lactate concentration in the final CSF sample, xanthochromia, and CSF glucose variation between the first and last CSF samples were predictors of a poor outcome (death). In contrast, decrease in CSF white blood cell count and CSF percentage of neutrophils, increase in the percentage of lymphocytes, and normalization of the CSF lactate concentration in the last CSF sample were predictors of a good prognosis. CONCLUSION The study confirmed the initial hypothesis. The longitudinal analysis of CSF lactate is an important predictor of prognosis in acute BM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nagyla C Barros
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Curitiba PR, Brasil
| | - Ricardo Petterle
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Curitiba PR, Brasil
| | - Keite Nogueira
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Hospital de Clínicas, Curitiba PR, Brasil
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Abdelrahim NA, Fadl-Elmula IM, Ali HM. Bacterial meningitis in Sudanese children; critical evaluation of the clinical decision using clinical prediction rules. BMC Pediatr 2019; 19:319. [PMID: 31492124 PMCID: PMC6729048 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1684-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sudan falls in the meningitis belt where most global cases of bacterial meningitis are reported. Highly accurate decision support tools have been developed by international specialized societies to guide the diagnosis and limit unnecessary hospital admissions and prolonged antibiotic use that have been frequently reported from countries around the world. The goals of this study are to critically evaluate the clinical decision of bacterial meningitis in children in Sudan using clinical prediction rules and to identify the current bacterial aetiology. METHODS This cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted in October to July of 2010 in a major referral pediatric hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Febrile children age 1 day to 15 years who were provisionally diagnosed as having meningitis on admission were included (n = 503). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were obtained from all patients while clinical and demographic data were available for only 404. Conventional laboratory investigations were performed. The clinical decision was evaluated by the International Classification of Diseases-Clinical Modification code 320.9 and the Bacterial Meningitis Score. Ethical clearance and permissions were obtained. RESULTS Out of 503 provisionally diagnosed bacterial meningitis patients, the final clinical confirmation was assigned to 55.9%. When codes were applied; 5.7% (23/404) with CSF pleocytosis were re-classified as High Risk for bacterial meningitis and 1.5% (6/404) with confirmed bacterial aetiology as Proven Bacterial Meningitis. Neisseria meningitidis was identified in 0.7% (3/404) and Streptococcus pneumoniae in another 0.7%. Typical laboratory findings (i.e. CSF pleocytosis and/or low glucose and high protein concentrations, Gram positive or Gram negative diplococcic, positive bacterial culture) were seen in 5 (83%). Clinically, patients showed fever, seizures, chills, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and bulging fontanelle. All confirmed cases were less than 5 years old and were admitted in summer. All patients were prescribed with antibiotics; they were all recovered and discharged. CONCLUSIONS Bacterial meningitis is over-diagnosed in hospitals in Khartoum therefore clinical prediction rules must be adopted and applied to guide the clinical decision. The sole bacterial aetiology in this selected group of Sudanese children remain N. meningitidis and S. pneumoniae, but with significant decrease in prevalence. Some cases showed atypical clinical and laboratory findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Abdelghani Abdelrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutics-Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nile University, Hai El-Gamaa, Al-Ailafoon Road, East Manshya Bridge, P.O. Box 11111, Khartoum, Sudan.
| | | | - Hassan Mohammed Ali
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National University-Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan
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Wang ME, Biondi EA, McCulloh RJ, Garber MD, Natt BC, Lucas BP, Schroeder AR. Testing for Meningitis in Febrile Well-Appearing Young Infants With a Positive Urinalysis. Pediatrics 2019; 144:peds.2018-3979. [PMID: 31395621 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To determine factors associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing in febrile young infants with a positive urinalysis and assess the probability of delayed diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in infants treated for urinary tract infection (UTI) without CSF testing. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Reducing Excessive Variability in Infant Sepsis Evaluation quality improvement project. A total of 20 570 well-appearing febrile infants 7 to 60 days old presenting to 124 hospitals from 2015 to 2017 were included. A mixed-effects logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with CSF testing. Delayed meningitis was defined as a new diagnosis of bacterial meningitis within 7 days of discharge. RESULTS Overall, 3572 infants had a positive urinalysis; 2511 (70.3%) underwent CSF testing. There was wide variation by site, with CSF testing rates ranging from 64% to 100% for infants 7 to 30 days old and 10% to 100% for infants 31 to 60 days old. Factors associated with CSF testing included: age 7 to 30 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8-5.5), abnormal inflammatory markers (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.8-2.5), and site volume >300 febrile infants per year (aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.6). Among 505 infants treated for UTI without CSF testing, there were 0 (95% CI: 0%-0.6%) cases of delayed meningitis. CONCLUSIONS There was wide variation in CSF testing in febrile infants with a positive urinalysis. Among infants treated for UTI without CSF testing (mostly 31 to 60-day-old infants), there were no cases of delayed meningitis within 7 days of discharge, suggesting that routine CSF testing of infants 31 to 60 days old with a positive urinalysis may not be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie E Wang
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California;
| | - Eric A Biondi
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Johns Hopkins Children's Center and School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Russell J McCulloh
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Matthew D Garber
- Division of Hospital Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Beth C Natt
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut; and
| | - Brian P Lucas
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice and Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Alan R Schroeder
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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Abstract
During the past several decades, researchers have shown that the eponymous signs of meningitis have reduced sensitivity and specificity compared with when they were originally described. This may be because of the changing epidemiology of meningitis and its treatment or it may be because of variations in performance of the maneuvers. For example, in the original descriptions, the Kernig sign (resistance of leg extension) is best elicited with the patient sitting and the Brudzinski nape of the neck sign involves holding down the patient's chest as the neck is flexed. These and other lesser-known signs of meningitis by Amoss, Bikeles and Edelmann all relate to the mechanics of stretching inflamed meninges, and this review will allow the clinician to understand how the history related to these maneuvers is still germane to clinical practice today.
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Sadarangani M, Pollard AJ. Bacterial meningitis in childhood. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 719:185-99. [PMID: 22125045 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-0204-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Talan DA. Bacterial cause of suspected meningitis cannot be safely excluded without cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Ann Emerg Med 2012; 59:227-8. [PMID: 22340798 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2011.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2011] [Revised: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Talan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, USA
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Becker A, Amantéa SL, Fraga JC, Zanella MI. Impact of antibiotic therapy on laboratory analysis of parapneumonic pleural fluid in children. J Pediatr Surg 2011; 46:452-7. [PMID: 21376191 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2009] [Revised: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The therapeutic management of parapneumonic pleural effusions (PPE) is controversial in children. Decision-making often relies on parameters such as gross appearance of pleural fluid and on bacteriologic and biochemical analyses. Our goal was to describe the laboratory profile of PPE in children and to assess the influence of previous administration of antibacterial agents on culture and biochemical results. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective study including children (age, 1 month to 16 years) with a diagnosis of PPE. Two groups were evaluated: children with or without antibiotic treatment up to 48 hours before analysis of pleural fluid. Results were analyzed using the χ(2) or Mann-Whitney test (α = .05). Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated, with control of previous antibiotic therapy using multivariate logistic regression analysis, to determine the risk of empyema associated with specific biochemical parameters. RESULTS One hundred ten children were selected. Fifty percent had received antibiotics at least 48 hours before pleural fluid analysis. Differences were observed between the groups in terms of PPE gross appearance (P = .033) and identification of bacteriologic agent by culture or Gram stain (P = .023). Biochemical parameters (pH ≤7.1 and glucose ≤40 mg/dL) were associated with increased odds of receiving a more invasive treatment. For pH, the odds ratio was 9.614 (95% CI, 1.952-47.362; P = .005); and for glucose, 9.201 (95% CI, 1.333-63.496; P = .024). CONCLUSIONS Previous use of antibacterial agents affected the bacteriologic analysis of pleural fluid in this pediatric sample admitted for PPE. However, it did not interfere significantly with biochemical parameters of pleural fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Becker
- Pediatric Emergency Service, Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio, Brazil.
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Kennedy WA, Chang SJ, Purdy K, LE T, Kilgore PE, Kim JS, Anh DD, Huong PLT, Dong BQ, Tan DM, Clemens JD, Ward JI. Incidence of bacterial meningitis in Asia using enhanced CSF testing: polymerase chain reaction, latex agglutination and culture. Epidemiol Infect 2007; 135:1217-26. [PMID: 17274856 PMCID: PMC2870670 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268806007734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
To enhance the detection of bacterial meningitis in an East Asian surveillance study, we employed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bacterial culture, latex agglutination (LA) and polymerase chain reaction-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) testing for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp). The sensitivity and specificity of CSF PCR-EIA testing was compared to LA and culture. A meningitis case was defined by one positive result for any of the three tests. The sensitivity of H. influenzae CSF PCR-EIA, LA, and culture was 100%, 40% and 57.5% respectively; and for Sp CSF PCR-EIA, LA and culture, the sensitivity was 100%, 58.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Hib and Sp specificity was 100% by each method. CSF PCR-EIA was more sensitive than culture or LA for the detection of Hib and Sp meningitis cases increasing their incidence by 74% and 50% compared to culture respectively. CSF PCR-EIA should be included for the detection of bacterial meningitis in surveillance studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- W A Kennedy
- Department of Paediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, USA.
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Powers JH. Microbiologic surrogate end points in clinical trials of infectious diseases: example of acute otitis media trials. Pharmacotherapy 2006; 25:109S-123S. [PMID: 16305280 DOI: 10.1592/phco.2005.25.12part2.109s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Clinical outcomes that measure how patients feel, function, or survive are the most important and relevant outcomes of therapy in clinical trials and in clinical practice. Surrogate end points, which do not directly measure clinical benefit to the patient, may function as substitutes for clinical end points in clinical trials. Such surrogates are attractive as they may allow measurement of outcomes earlier in time or with a smaller sample size than with clinical outcomes. Microbiologic biomarkers, such as culture results at a specific time after start of therapy, or pharmacodynamic analyses of the effect of drugs on organisms often are proposed as surrogate end points in clinical trials of therapies for infectious diseases. However, evaluation of biomarkers as surrogate end points poses distinct challenges, and only a few biomarkers have been useful replacements for clinical end points. Evaluation of biomarkers as potential surrogate end points first requires an understanding of the differences among measurements of the cause of a disease, risk factors for outcome, and measurements of treatment effects. We will discuss the definitions of clinical and surrogate end points and the reasons why surrogate end points may not predict the true clinical benefit of therapies. We will use the example of the biomarker of microbiologic outcomes from tympanocenteses performed during therapy as the sole measure of clinical effectiveness in clinical trials of acute otitis media to illustrate the challenges in evaluating biomarkers as surrogate end points.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Powers
- Office of Antimicrobial Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
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Bonsu BK, Harper MB. Utility of the peripheral blood white blood cell count for identifying sick young infants who need lumbar puncture. Ann Emerg Med 2003; 41:206-14. [PMID: 12548270 DOI: 10.1067/mem.2003.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We assess the utility of the peripheral blood WBC count as a screen for lumbar puncture among young infants evaluated for serious bacterial infections. METHODS We performed logistic regression modeling and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of peripheral blood WBC count and cerebrospinal fluid WBC count for results obtained from 3- to 89-day-old infants undergoing a full sepsis evaluation. RESULTS Twenty-two of 5,353 (4.1 per 1,000) infants had acute bacterial meningitis. For diagnosing acute bacterial meningitis, the peripheral blood WBC count was poorly discriminating and significantly inferior to the cerebrospinal fluid WBC count. This was true both when the odds of meningitis were modeled to vary linearly and as a U-shaped function of the peripheral blood WBC count. When relying on single and interval-based high-risk thresholds of peripheral blood WBC counts alone, the majority of infants with acute bacterial meningitis would have been missed. CONCLUSION Decisions to perform or withhold lumbar puncture should not be based on prevailing interpretations of the total peripheral blood WBC counts to maximize detection of bacterial meningitis in young infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bema K Bonsu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Miner JR, Heegaard W, Mapes A, Biros M. Presentation, time to antibiotics, and mortality of patients with bacterial meningitis at an urban county medical center. J Emerg Med 2001; 21:387-92. [PMID: 11728765 DOI: 10.1016/s0736-4679(01)00407-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Our objective was to analyze the presentation, time to antibiotics, treatment, and mortality of patients with bacterial meningitis at a large urban county hospital over a 10-year period. A retrospective chart review of all patients with the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was done. Information concerning presentation, etiologic organisms, treatment (including time to antibiotics), and outcomes were collected and analyzed. There were 165 charts reviewed with 171 total cases of bacterial meningitis. For adults with community-acquired meningitis, the mortality rate was 14%, for children it was 1.6%. Seventy-six percent of patients received antibiotics in the Emergency Department (ED) with a mean time to antibiotics of 1:08 h +/- 13 min. The rest received them as inpatients with a mean time to antibiotics of 6 +/- 9 h. The mortality rate for patients with community-acquired disease who received an Emergency Department antibiotic was 7.9%; for patients who received their antibiotics as inpatients the mortality rate was 29%. Our results indicate that the mortality rates from bacterial meningitis at our institution are lower than previously published results. Furthermore, our study supports the concept that the early administration of antibiotics in the ED may reduce mortality and may be an explanation of the lower mortality rates seen here.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Miner
- Hennepin County Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55441, USA
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Bonsu BK, Harper MB. Fever interval before diagnosis, prior antibiotic treatment, and clinical outcome for young children with bacterial meningitis. Clin Infect Dis 2001; 32:566-72. [PMID: 11181119 DOI: 10.1086/318700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2000] [Revised: 07/06/2000] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In young children, meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae is preceded by a long interval from onset of fever to diagnosis of bacterial meningitis (hereafter known as "fever interval"), during which time the patient frequently contacts a clinician. By means of retrospective chart review, we compared the fever interval that preceded diagnosis with the complication rate among 288 young children (age, 3--36 months) who had bacterial meningitis (1984--1996), as stratified by causative organism and prior antibiotic treatment. Pathogens included S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Neisseria meningitidis. Pneumococcus species were associated with the longest fever interval prior to diagnosis of meningitis, the highest frequency of contact with a clinician before hospitalization, and the highest rate of documented morbidity or mortality. For S. pneumoniae, there was an association between antibiotic treatment received at prior meetings with a clinician and a reduced rate of meningitis-related complications (odds ratio, 0.14; P=.02). Antibiotic treatment during such meetings is associated with a substantial reduction in disease-related sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- B K Bonsu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Givens TG, Paul RI, Bothner JP, Hardwick WE, Walsh-Kelly CM. Cerebrospinal fluid glucose and protein in disposition and treatment decisions. Acad Emerg Med 2000; 7:298-302. [PMID: 10730842 DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2000.tb01083.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
Meningococcal disease is increasing in incidence in many countries, and effective vaccines for serogroup B strains will not be available for at least 5 to 10 years. In the interim, it is attention to principles of good clinical practice, particularly in the early management of the disease, that have the potential to reduce by half the current case fatality rate of approximately 10%. As discussed in this article, those principles include increased awareness, understanding of the disease and its early symptoms by parents and healthcare professionals, and careful attention to the patient before admission and during the hospital stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Cartwright
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, United Kingdom
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Rothrock SG, Green SM, Harper MB, Clark MC, McIlmail DP, Bachur R. Parenteral vs oral antibiotics in the prevention of serious bacterial infections in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae occult bacteremia: a meta-analysis. Acad Emerg Med 1998; 5:599-606. [PMID: 9660287 DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.1998.tb02468.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether parenteral antibiotics are superior to oral antibiotics in preventing serious bacterial infections in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae occult bacteremia. METHODS Using the MEDLINE database, the English language literature was searched for all publications concerning bacteremia, fever, or Streptococcus pneumoniae from 1966 to January 1, 1997. All nonduplicative studies with a series of children with S. pneumoniae occult bacteremia having both orally treated and parenterally treated groups were reviewed. Children were excluded from individual studies if at the time of their initial evaluation they were immunocompromised, had a serious bacterial infection, underwent a lumbar puncture, or did not receive antibiotics. RESULTS Only 4 studies met study criteria. From these studies, 511 total cases of S. pneumoniae occult bacteremia were identified. Ten of 290 (3.4%) in the oral group and 5 of 221 (2.3%) in the parenteral antibiotic group developed serious bacterial infections (pooled p-value = 0.467, pooled OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 0.5-4.3). Two patients in the oral group (0.7%) and 2 patients in the parenteral group (0.9%) developed meningitis (pooled p-value = 0.699, pooled OR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.1-5.1). CONCLUSION The rates of serious bacterial infections and meningitis did not differ between children who were treated with oral and parenteral antibiotics. The extremely low rate of complications observed in both groups suggests no clinically significant difference between therapies. A study with >7,500 bacteremic children (or >300,000 febrile children) would be needed to have 80% power to prove parenteral antibiotics are superior to oral antibiotics in preventing serious bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Rothrock
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center, FL 32806, USA
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Rothrock SG, Harper MB, Green SM, Clark MC, Bachur R, McIlmail DP, Giordano PA, Falk JL. Do oral antibiotics prevent meningitis and serious bacterial infections in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae occult bacteremia? A meta-analysis. Pediatrics 1997; 99:438-44. [PMID: 9041302 DOI: 10.1542/peds.99.3.438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether oral antibiotics prevent meningitis and serious bacterial infections in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae occult bacteremia. DATA SOURCES Using the Medline database, the English-language literature was searched for all publications concerning bacteremia, fever, or S pneumoniae from 1966 to April 1996. STUDY SELECTION All studies that included a series of children with S pneumoniae occult bacteremia containing orally treated and untreated groups. Children were excluded from individual studies if they were immunocompromised, had a serious bacterial infection, underwent a lumbar puncture, or received parenteral antibiotics. DATA EXTRACTION Three authors independently reviewed each article to determine the number of eligible children and the outcome of children meeting entry criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS Eleven of 21 studies were excluded, leaving 10 evaluable studies with 656 total cases of S pneumoniae occult bacteremia identified. Patients who received oral antibiotics had fewer serious bacterial infections than untreated patients (3.3% vs 9.7%; pooled odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.17 to 0.73). Meningitis developed in 3 (0.8%) of 399 children in the oral antibiotic group and 7 (2.7%) of 257 untreated children (pooled odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 2.09). CONCLUSION Although oral antibiotics modestly decreased the risk of serious bacterial infections in children with S pneumoniae occult bacteremia, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that oral antibiotics prevent meningitis. Published recommendations that oral antibiotics be administered to prevent serious bacterial infections in children with possible S pneumoniae occult bacteremia should be reevaluated in light of the lower risk of sequelae from S pneumoniae occult bacteremia and newer data concerning side effects from treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Rothrock
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center, FL 32806, USA
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Scott SM. Initial approach to the child who presents with infections of the central nervous system. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1996. [DOI: 10.1016/s1045-1870(96)80024-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify possible risk factors associated with a poor prognosis in childhood bacterial meningitis. We also analysed the influence of duration of symptoms and prehospital antibiotic therapy on outcome. Ninety-two children aged 1 month to 13.8 years were included, of whom 4 died (4.3%) and 14 (15.2%) experienced permanent neurological sequelae. Hearing impairment was the most frequent sequela and was strongly associated with the length of history. Multiple logistic regression revealed duration of symptoms > 48 h, pre-hospital seizures, peripheral vasoconstriction, < 1000 x 10(6)/l leucocytes in cerebrospinal fluid and temperature < or = 38.0 degrees C on admission as risk factors independently associated with later death or sequelae. There was no association between pre-hospital oral or parenteral antibiotic therapy and outcome. These risk factors may be of value in selecting patients for more intensive therapy and in identifying possible candidates for new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Kaaresen
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Tromso, Norway
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Landgraf IM, Alkmin MDG, Vieira MDF. Bacterial antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid by the latex agglutination test. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 1995; 37:257-60. [PMID: 8525273 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46651995000300013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Eighty purulent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with clinical evidence of meningitis were studied using the Directigen latex agglutination (LA) kit to determine the presence of bacterial antigen in CSF. The results showed a better diagnostic performance of the LA test than bacterioscopy by Gram stain, culture and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), as far as Neisseria meningitidis groups B and C, and Haemophilus influenzae type b are concerned, and a better performance than bacterioscopy and culture considering Streptococcus pneumoniae. Comparison of the results with those of culture showed that the LA test had the highest sensitivity for the Neisseria meningitidis group C. Comparing the results with those of CIE, the highest levels of sensitivity were detected for N. meningitidis groups B and C. Regarding specificity, fair values were obtained for all organisms tested. The degree of K agreement when the LA test was compared with CIE exhibited better K indices of agreement for N. meningitidis groups B and C.
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Affiliation(s)
- I M Landgraf
- Seção de Bacteriologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, Brazil
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Talan DA, Zibulewsky J. Relationship of clinical presentation to time to antibiotics for the emergency department management of suspected bacterial meningitis. Ann Emerg Med 1993; 22:1733-8. [PMID: 8214865 DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(05)81314-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
STUDY HYPOTHESIS The acuity and specificity of the clinical presentation of bacterial meningitis are significantly associated with the time to antibiotic administration. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING Seven hundred-bed university and 1,000-bed community hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred twenty-two children and adults primarily evaluated in the emergency department and admitted with the diagnosis of suspected bacterial meningitis. METHODS The ED chart was reviewed for demographic, historical, physical examination, and time data and sequence of interventions. In addition, we categorized patient presentations as "sick" or not and as "classic" or not based on the following predetermined definitions. A "sick" presentation was defined as at least two of the following: temperature of more than 40 C, lethargic or comatose mental status, hypotension, or tachycardia. A "classic" presentation was defined as temperature of more than 39 C and at least one of the following: nuchal rigidity, bulging fontanelle, or abnormal mental status. Association of clinical variables and management practices to time to antibiotics was analyzed by analysis of variance and regression. RESULTS The geometric mean time from ED registration until antibiotic initiation was 2.7 hours (range, 0.5 to 18 hours). Clinical factors that were associated independently with less time to antibiotics (hours less, P value) were a history of vomiting (0.5 hour, P = .06), no history of headache (0.8 hour, P = .01), hypotension (1.0 hour, P = .02), a bulging fontanelle (0.9 hour, P = .01), and a "sick presentation" (0.5 hour, P = .06). Management scenarios in which antibiotics were not administered until after return of results of computed tomography head scan or laboratory cerebrospinal fluid analysis and the practice of initiation of antibiotics on the ward compared with in the ED were associated independently with even greater delays (1.7 to 1.8 hours, P < .0001). CONCLUSION Certain clinical factors, particularly those associated with acute illness compared with those that suggest the specific diagnosis, are associated with less time to antibiotics. Management practices, such as the order of interventions and the site of initiation of antibiotic therapy, appear to be of much greater importance in predicting antibiotic timeliness and represent an area of potentially avoidable delay for the ED management of suspected bacterial meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Talan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Olive View/UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar
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23
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Lipton JD, Schafermeyer RW. Evolving concepts in pediatric bacterial meningitis--Part I: Pathophysiology and diagnosis. Ann Emerg Med 1993; 22:1602-15. [PMID: 8214845 DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(05)81268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J D Lipton
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
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