Community-acquired meningitis in older adults: clinical features, etiology, and prognostic factors

Enterovirus Meningitis without Pleocytosis: a Retrospective Observational Study in Adults

Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed enterovirus (EV) meningitis without pleocytosis has only been previously reported in children. In this study, we examined the frequency of EV meningitis without pleocytosis in adults and compared its clinical features. We retrospectively analyzed the data of adult patients with EV meningitis confirmed using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) RT-PCR. Among the 17 patients included in this study, 58.8% showed no pleocytosis. The median age and clinical symptoms did not differ between the pleocytosis and non-pleocytosis groups. There were no statistically significant differences in seasonal variation or time from the onset of meningitis symptoms to lumbar puncture. The peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count in patients with pleocytosis was significantly higher than that in patients without pleocytosis. The median CSF pressure showed a higher trend in the non-pleocytosis group. Patients with CSF pressures higher than normal were more common in the non-pleocytosis group. The median CSF protein values were higher than the normal values in both groups. We confirmed the high frequency of EV meningitis without pleocytosis in adults. Accurate diagnosis using RT-PCR is necessary when meningitis symptoms are prominent during an EV epidemic, and CSF protein levels and pressure are high, even if the CSF WBC count is normal.

Trends in laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis (2012-2019): national observational study, England

Background

Bacterial meningitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, aetiology, trends over time and outcomes of laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis in England during 2012-2019.

Methods

UK Health Security Agency routinely receives electronic notifications of confirmed infections from National Health Service hospital laboratories in England. Data were extracted for positive bacterial cultures, PCR-positive results for Neisseria meningitidis or Streptococcus pneumoniae from cerebrospinal fluid and positive blood cultures in patients with clinical meningitis.

Findings

During 2012-19, there were 6554 laboratory-confirmed cases. Mean annual incidence was 1.49/100,000, which remained stable throughout the surveillance period (p = 0.745). There were 155 different bacterial species identified, including 68.4% (106/1550) Gram-negative and 31.6% (49/155) Gram-positive bacteria. After excluding coagulase-negative staphylococci (2481/6554, 37.9%), the main pathogens causing meningitis were Streptococcus pneumoniae (811/4073, 19.9%), Neisseria meningitidis (497/4073, 12.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (467/4073, 11.5%), Escherichia coli (314/4073, 7.7%) and group B streptococcus (268/4073, 6.6%). Pneumococcal meningitis incidence increased significantly during 2012-9, while meningococcal, group A streptococcal and tuberculous meningitis declined. Infants aged <3 months had the highest mean incidence (55.6/100,000; 95% CI, 47.7-63.5) driven mainly by group B streptococci, followed by 3-11 month-olds (8.1/100,000; 95% CI 7.1-9.0), where pneumococcal and meningitis predominated. The 30-day case-fatality rate (CFR) was 10.0% (71/6554). Group A streptococcal meningitis had the highest CFR (47/85, 55.3%). The probability of surviving at 30 days was 95.3% (95% CI, 93.4-97.3%) for infants and 80.0% for older adults (77-84%).

Interpretation

The incidence of bacterial meningitis has remained stable. The high CFR highlights a need for prevention through vaccination.

Funding

PHE.

Role of cerebrospinal fluid lactate in diagnosing meningitis in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

Meningitis is a life-threatening clinical condition associated with high mortality and morbidity. Early diagnosis and specific treatment may improve outcomes. Lack of specific clinical signs or tests make the diagnosis challenging.

AIM

To assess the efficacy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate in diagnosing meningitis in critically ill patients.

METHODS

A prospective, observational cohort study was carried out in a neuro-medical intensive care unit (ICU) over a 22 mo period. Adult patients, with suspected meningitis admitted in ICU, were serially recruited. Patients who refused consent, those with peripheral sensorineural deficit, or with any contraindication to lumber puncture were excluded. CSF cytology, bio-chemistry, lactates, culture and polymerase chain reaction based meningo-encephalitis panel were evaluated. Patients were divided in two groups based on clinical diagnosis of meningitis. The efficacy of CSF lactate in diagnosing meningitis was evaluated and compared with other tests.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients were included and 23 were diagnosed with meningitis. The mean values of CSF total leucocyte count (TLC), proteins and lactates were significantly higher in meningitis group. There was a significant correlation of CSF lactate levels with CSF cultures and meningo-encephalitis panel. CSF lactate (> 2.72 mmol/L) showed good accuracy in diagnosing meningitis with an area under the curve of 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.93), sensitivity of 82.6%, and specificity 72.9%. These values were comparable to those of CSF TLC and protein. Twelve patients with bacterial meningitis had significantly higher CSF lactate (8.9 ± 4.7 mmol/L) than those with non-bacterial meningitis (4.2 ± 3.8 mmol/L), P = 0.006.

CONCLUSION

CSF lactate may be used to aid in our diagnosis of meningitis in ICU patients. CSF lactate (> 2.72 mmol/L) showed good accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in diagnosing meningitis and may also help to differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial meningitis.

Mid-term health-related quality of life in community-acquired bacterial meningitis survivors; the COMBAT study

BACKGROUND

Community Acute Bacterial Meningitis (CABM) is a rare infectious disease leading to important impairments. Our aim was to describe CABM survivors' quality of life (QOL) 12 months post-CABM and to assess its associations with CABM sequelae.

METHODS

Patients included in the CABM COMBAT cohort were evaluated one year after the CABM episode. Data were collected by questionnaire, via phone calls with the patients. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to measure CABM survivors' QOL. Hierarchical multivariate linear regressions were performed.

RESULTS

Study population was composed of 284 patients. At 12 months, 53.9% (153/284) reported at least incident headache/worsening headache intensity at 12 months post-CABM, and/or incident hearing impairment, and/or unfavourable disability outcome (GOS). Unfavourable disability outcome was associated with lower physical health QOL (B = -30.35, p<0.001), lower mental health QOL (B = -15.31, p<0.001), lower environmental QOL (B = -11.08, p<0.001) and lower social relationships QOL (B = -9.62, p<0.001). Incident headache/worsening headache since meningitis onset was associated with lower psychological health (B = -5.62, p = 0.010). Incident hearing impairment was associated with lower physical QOL (B = -5.34, p = 0.030). Hierarchical regressions showed that CABM impairments significantly increase explanatory power of multivariate models (for physical health R2 change = 0.42, p<0.001, for psychological health R2 change = 0.23, p<0.001, for social relationships R2 change = 0.06, p<0.001 and for environment domain R2 change was 0.15, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

12 month-CABM burden is heavy. Early detection and management of CABM impairments should be performed in clinical practice as early as possible to optimize patients' psychological and psychosocial functioning.

CLINICALTRIAL. GOV IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

NCT01730690.

Sex-based differences in bacterial meningitis in adults: Epidemiology, clinical features, and therapeutic outcomes

BACKGROUND

To investigate the sex-based differences in clinical features, causative pathogens, and outcomes of hospital-based culture-proven adult bacterial meningitis.

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study enrolled 621 patients at a tertiary medical center. To compare changes over time, the presentation of disease among the enrolled patients was divided into two equal time periods: the first study period (1986-2002) and the second study period (2003-2019).

RESULTS

Of the 621 patients enrolled in this study, 396 were males and 225 were females. The overall case fatality rate was 30.4% with 30.1% and 31.1% in males and females, respectively. Regarding the causative pathogens, there was a rising incidence of coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections and a decreasing incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in both male and female in the second study period. The prevalence of patients with nosocomial infection in a postneurosurgical state were 41.9% (68/162) in the first study period and 58.1% (94/162) in the second study period in male group, and 34.8% (32/92) in the first study period and 65.2% (60/92) in the second study period in female group, respectively. Significant factors between the sexes difference included age (P = 0.004), traumatic brain injury (P = 0.01), alcoholism (P < 0.001), brain tumor (P < 0.001), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (P = 0.004), presence of diabetic ketoacidosis/hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (P = 0.033), brain abscess (P = 0.042), and total protein (P = 0.002) and white blood cell count (P = 0.036) of cerebrospinal fluid data.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed an increase in the number of patients with nosocomial infection with a postneurosurgical state in both male and female in the second study period. Males were younger and frequently presented with a history of head trauma and alcoholism with concomitant brain abscesses while females presented with SLE and brain tumor. The therapeutic outcome did not show differences between the sexes.

Epidemiological, Cytochemical and Bacteriological Profile of Meningitis among Adults and Children in North West of Morocco

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Meningitis is a medical and public health problem in Morocco, particularly in the North West region. The purpose of present study was to identify the pathogen in pyogenic meningitis and to determine its antibiotic susceptibility pattern Materials and Methods: A total of 247 cases were included in the diagnosis of meningitis on the basis of clinical findings and positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

RESULTS

The study included 247 cases with a mean cumulative incidence of 4.53 (100,000 Hts) meningitis in all forms during the study period. The sex ratio M/F was 1.71. Maximum numbers of cases were<15 year of age, 139 (56.3%). Bacterial meningeal syndrome was observed in 67.2% of cases. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was cloudy in 57.1% of cases. The average number of GBs was 1074.12 (±2115.63) elements mm-3. Mean glycorrhachia was 0.48 g L-1 (±0.28) and mean protein levels were 1.5 g L-1 (±1.68). The common pathogens identified on CSF culture were coagulase, negative Neisseria meningitidis in 30 (13%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae 6 (2.5%). Overall mortality was 14.9%.

CONCLUSION

Hence, Meningitis is a real health problem in the province of Kenitra, affecting especially children. Effective involvement of all health personnel and the community fight this epidemic disease.

Tuberculous Meningitis: Pathogenesis, Immune Responses, Diagnostic Challenges, and the Potential of Biomarker-Based Approaches

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most devastating form of tuberculosis (TB), causing high mortality or disability. Clinical management of the disease is challenging due to limitations of the existing diagnostic approaches. Our knowledge on the immunology and pathogenesis of the disease is currently limited. More research is urgently needed to enhance our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of the disease and guide us toward the identification of targets that may be useful for vaccines or host-directed therapeutics.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most devastating form of tuberculosis (TB), causing high mortality or disability. Clinical management of the disease is challenging due to limitations of the existing diagnostic approaches. Our knowledge on the immunology and pathogenesis of the disease is currently limited. More research is urgently needed to enhance our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of the disease and guide us toward the identification of targets that may be useful for vaccines or host-directed therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the immunology and pathogenesis of TBM and summarize the literature on existing and new, especially biomarker-based, approaches that may be useful in the management of TBM. We identify research gaps and provide directions for research which may lead to the development of new tools for the control of the disease in the near future.

Clinical Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Encephalitis in Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Encephalitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with unknown etiologies in the majority of patients. Large prognostic studies evaluating elderly patients are currently lacking.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort of encephalitis cases in 19 hospitals from New Orleans, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas, between the years 2000 and 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 340 adult (aged ≥17 years) patients with confirmed encephalitis were enrolled, and 194 (57%) had unknown etiologies. A cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus was done in 237 (69%) and 82 (24%) patients, respectively. Furthermore, an arboviral serology was done in 169 (49%) patients and measurements of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies were taken in 49 (14%) patients. A total of 172 out of 323 patients (53%) had adverse clinical outcomes (ACOs) at discharge. Older individuals (>65 years of age) had a lower prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, had a higher number of comorbidities, were less likely to receive adjuvant steroids, were more likely to have a positive arbovirus serology, were more likely to have a positive HSV PCR, were more likely to have abnormal computerized tomography findings, and were more likely to have to have an ACO (all P values < .05). Prognostic factors independently associated with an ACO were age ≥65, fever, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <13, and seizures (all P values ≤0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Encephalitis in adults remain with unknown etiologies and adverse clinical outcomes in the majority of patients. Independent prognostic factors include age ≥65 years, fever, GCS score <13, and seizures.

The diagnostic utility of the "Thwaites' system" and "lancet consensus scoring system" in tuberculous vs. non-tuberculous subacute and chronic meningitis: multicenter analysis of 395 adult patients

BACKGROUND

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) represents a diagnostic and management challenge to clinicians. The "Thwaites' system" and "Lancet consensus scoring system" are utilized to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis but their utility in subacute and chronic meningitis where TBM is an important consideration is unknown.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study of adults with subacute and chronic meningitis, defined by symptoms greater than 5 days and less than 30 days for subacute meningitis (SAM) and greater than 30 days for chronic meningitis (CM). The "Thwaites' system" and "Lancet consensus scoring system" scores and the diagnostic accuracy by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of receiver operating curve (AUC-ROC) were calculated. The "Thwaites' system" and "Lancet consensus scoring system" suggest a high probability of TBM with scores ≤4, and with scores of ≥12, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 395 patients were identified; 313 (79.2%) had subacute and 82 (20.8%) with chronic meningitis. Patients with chronic meningitis were more likely caused by tuberculosis and had higher rates of HIV infection (P < 0.001). A total of 162 patients with TBM and 233 patients with non-TBM had unknown (140, 60.1%), fungal (41, 17.6%), viral (29, 12.4%), miscellaneous (16, 6.7%), and bacterial (7, 3.0%) etiologies. TMB patients were older and presented with lower Glasgow coma scores, lower CSF glucose and higher CSF protein (P < 0.001). Both criteria were able to distinguish TBM from bacterial meningitis; only the Lancet score was able to differentiate TBM from fungal, viral, and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurred between the etiologies (P < .001). Both criteria showed poor diagnostic accuracy to distinguish TBM from non-TBM etiologies (AUC-ROC was <. 5), but Lancet consensus scoring system was fair in diagnosing TBM (AUC-ROC was .738), sensitivity of 50%, and specificity of 89.3%.

CONCLUSION

Both criteria can be helpful in distinguishing TBM from bacterial meningitis, but only the Lancet consensus scoring system can help differentiate TBM from meningitis caused by fungal, viral and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurs and the overall diagnostic accuracy of both criteria were either poor or fair.

Unusual presentation of meningococcal meningitis in the elderly and utility of CSF PCR testing

We present an unusual case of a previously healthy 74-year-old man who presented with diffuse weakness, severe myalgias, petechial palmar rash and hypotension, but without fever, altered mental status, nuchal rigidity or headache, who was ultimately found through PCR testing to have meningococcal meningitis.

Readmissions after hospital care for meningitis in the United States

BACKGROUND

Our objectives were to (1) characterize patient and clinical characteristics of adults hospitalized with meningitis; (2) describe meningitis hospitalization outcomes, including 30- and 90-day readmissions; and (3) determine whether clinical, patient, or index hospitalization characteristics are associated with readmission and readmission outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study of the 2014 National Readmissions Database extracted data on hospitalized adults with a principal diagnosis of meningitis and examined hospitalization outcomes using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression models were built to determine whether characteristics were associated with 30- or 90-day readmissions.

RESULTS

For the 30-day readmission analyses, 18,883 adults qualified. Meningitis hospitalizations commonly involved adults 25 to 54 years of age who were insured by private carriers. The readmission rates were 7.0% at 30 days and 11.4% at 90 days. Readmission was associated with greater comorbidity burden (2 conditions: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.60, range 1.24-2.08; 3 conditions: AOR = 1.92, range 1.43-2.58; 4+ conditions: AOR = 2.68, range 2.04-3.51 vs 0 or 1 condition), public insurance (Medicare: AOR = 1.85, range 1.30-2.62; Medicaid: AOR = 1.48, range 1.16-1.90 vs private insurance), and medical error (AOR = 1.43, range 1.07-1.91). Readmissions were most often for meningitis, septicemia, or medical complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Readmission after hospitalization for meningitis is associated with both fixed and modifiable factors. More research is needed to determine which post-meningitis readmissions are preventable.

Comparison of Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors of Cryptococcal Meningitis Caused by Cryptococcus neoformans in Patients With and Without Pulmonary Nodules

Whether the clinical features of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) patients vary with the coexistence of pulmonary nodules is not clear. This study aimed to compare the clinical features of CM in patients with and without pulmonary nodules detected by chest computed tomography (CT). The medical records of CM patients hospitalized in Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographics, laboratory and radiographic findings, clinical managements, and outcomes were analyzed. A total of 90 CM patients were enrolled. Forty (44.4%) patients had pulmonary nodules (PN-positive), and 50 (55.6%) patients had no pulmonary nodules (PN-negative). Compared with PN-negative patients, PN-positive patients had higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum albumin ratios, higher rates of CSF protein > 1000 mg/L, CSF glucose < 2.5 mmol/L, worse overall treatment response, higher rates of abnormal head CT and magnetic resonance imaging manifestations, and more unfavorable clinical outcomes. Multivariate analysis showed that immunocompromise (p = 0.037) and CSF glucose < 2.5 mmol/L (p = 0.044) indicated poor outcome in PN-positive patients, while CSF glucose < 2.5 mmol/L (p = 0.025) also indicated poor outcome in PN-negative patients. Amphotericin B in the initial therapy was a protective factor for PN-negative patients (p = 0.008). Certain clinical features showed significant differences between CM patients with and without pulmonary nodules, and several independent contributing factors impacted the clinical outcomes for CM patients. Future studies should be performed to further examine these factors.

Healthcare-Associated Meningitis or Ventriculitis in Older Adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Healthcare-associated meningitis or ventriculitis (HCAMV) is a serious and life-threatening complication of invasive neurosurgical procedures or penetrating head trauma. Older adults are at higher risk of adverse outcomes in community-acquired meningitis but studies of HCAMV are lacking. Therefore, we perform the study to define the differences in clinical outcomes between older and younger adults with HCAMV.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

A large tertiary care hospital in Houston, Texas, from July 2003 to November 2014.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with a diagnosis of HCAMV (N = 160) aged ≥65 (n = 35), aged 18-64 (n = 125).

MEASUREMENTS

Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale).

RESULTS

Older adults had more comorbidities and CSF abnormalities [pleocytosis, high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, low CSF glucose) and were more likely to have altered mental status than younger adults (P < .05). An adverse clinical outcome was seen in 142 participants (89%) (death (n = 18, 11%), persistent vegetative state (n = 26, 16%), severe disability (n = 68, 43%), moderate disability (n = 30, 19%). There was no difference in adverse outcomes between older (97%) and younger (86%) adults (P = .13). On logistic regression analysis, abnormal neurological examination (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.15-23.63, P = .001) and mechanical ventilation (aOR = 11.03, 95% CI = 1.35-90.51, P = .02) were associated with adverse clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Older adults with HCAMV have more comorbidities and CSF abnormalities and are more likely to have altered mental status than younger adults but have similar high rates of adverse clinical outcomes.

Acute versus subacute community-acquired meningitis: Analysis of 611 patients

Community-acquired meningitis can be classified into acute and subacute presentations by the duration of illness of ≤ or >5 days, respectively. There are currently no studies comparing the clinical features, management decisions, etiologies, and outcomes between acute and subacute presentations.It is a retrospective study of adults with community-acquired meningitis hospitalized in Houston, TX between January 2005 and January 2010. An adverse clinical outcome was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of ≤4.A total of 611 patients were identified, of which 458 (75%) were acute and 153 subacute (25%). The most common etiologies were unknown in 418 (68.4%), viral in 94 (15.4%), bacterial in 47 (7.7%), fungal in 42 patients (6.9%), and other noninfectious etiologies in 6 (1%). Patients with subacute meningitis were more likely to be immunosuppressed or have comorbidities, had fungal etiologies, and had higher rates of hypoglycorrachia and abnormal neurological findings (P <.05). Patients with an acute presentation were more likely to be treated empirically with intravenous antibiotics and had higher cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and serum white blood cell counts (P <.05). On logistic regression, age >65 years and abnormal neurological findings were predictive of an adverse clinical outcome in both acute and subacute meningitis, whereas fever was also a significant prognostic factor in acute meningitis. (P <.05).Acute and subacute meningitis differ in regards to clinical presentations, etiologies, laboratory findings, and management decisions, but did not differ in rates of adverse clinical outcomes. Future studies including thoroughly investigated patients with new diagnostic molecular methods may show different results and outcomes.

Aseptic meningitis in adults and children: Diagnostic and management challenges

BACKGROUND

Aseptic meningitis represents a common diagnostic and management dilemma to clinicians.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the clinical epidemiology, diagnostic evaluations, management, and outcomes between adults and children with aseptic meningitis.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective study from January 2005 through September 2010 at 9 Memorial Hermann Hospitals in Houston, TX. Patients age≥2months who presented with community-acquired aseptic meningitis with a CSF white blood cell count >5cells/mm³ and a negative Gram stain and cultures were enrolled. Patients with a positive cryptococcal antigen, positive blood cultures, intracranial masses, brain abscesses, or encephalitis were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 509 patients were included; 404 were adults and 105 were children. Adults were most likely to be female, Caucasian, immunosuppressed, have meningeal symptoms (headache, nausea, stiff neck, photophobia) and have a higher CSF protein (P <0.05). In contrast, children were more likely to have respiratory symptoms, fever, and leukocytosis (P <0.05). In 410 (81%) patients, the etiologies remained unknown. Adults were more likely to be tested for and to have Herpes simplex virus and West Nile virus while children were more likely to be tested for and to have Enterovirus (P <0.001). The majority of patients were admitted (96.5%) with children receiving antibiotic therapy more frequently (P <0.001) and adults receiving more antiviral therapy (P=0.001). A total of 384 patients (75%) underwent head CT scans and 125 (25%) MRI scans; all were normal except for meningeal enhancement. All patients had a good clinical outcome at discharge.

DISCUSSION

Aseptic meningitis in adults and children represent a management challenge as etiologies remained unknown for the majority of patients due to underutilization of currently available diagnostic techniques.

Cranial Imaging Before Lumbar Puncture in Adults With Community-Acquired Meningitis: Clinical Utility and Adherence to the Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines

BACKGROUND.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines delineate criteria for the use of computed tomography (CT) scan of the head before lumbar puncture (LP) in adults with community-acquired meningitis (CAM). There are limited data to document adherence to these guidelines and assess the clinical utility of brain imaging.

METHODS.

This was a retrospective analysis from January 2005 to January 2010 in Houston, Texas.

RESULTS.

Among 614 adults with CAM, 407 patients (66.3%) did not have an indication for a head CT scan and 207 (33.7%) did. Patients with a CT scan indication were older, had more comorbidities, were sicker, and had more urgent treatable etiologies and adverse clinical outcomes (P < .001). A CT scan was ordered before the LP in 549 patients (89%). Overall, clinicians did not adhere to clinical guidelines in 368 of 614 (60%) subjects. A CT of the head was ordered when not indicated in 355 of 549 patients (64%), and not done when indicated in 13 of 207 patients (0.6%). CT of the head revealed intracranial abnormalities in 35 of 193 patients (18.1%) with an indication for brain imaging, compared with only 2 of 356 (0.05%) with no indication (P < .05). Major intracranial findings were seen in only 15 of 549 (2.7%) patients, all with an indication for brain imaging. Furthermore, only 8 patients had abnormalities that affected clinical management.

CONCLUSIONS.

Most clinicians do not adhere to IDSA guidelines, delaying diagnostic LP and increasing costs. Usefulness of head CT in patients with CAM without an indication for imaging is limited and has no impact in clinical management.

Hematologic parameters to predict negative cerebrospinal fluid examination results among neurologically intact patients who underwent lumbar puncture on suspicion of central nervous system infection

Objective

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination is mandatory whenever central nervous system (CNS) infection is suspected. However, pleocytosis is not detected in a substantial number of suspected patients who undergo CSF examination. This study aimed to identify parameters that can aid in predicting negative CSF examination results (defined as a white blood cell count of <5 cells/high-power field).

Methods

The study included 101 neurologically intact patients who underwent lumbar puncture because of suspicion of CNS infection. Patients were divided into negative and positive CSF examination groups, and their initial blood tests were comparatively analyzed.

Results

The negative group had a significantly higher proportion of neutrophils in white blood cells (81.5% vs. 75.8%, P=0.012), lower proportion of lymphocytes in white blood cells (9.3% vs. 16.7%, P=0.001), a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (9.1 vs. 4.4, P=0.001), a lower lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (1.6 vs. 2.4, P=0.008), and a higher C-reactive protein level (21.0 vs. 5.0 mg/L, P<0.001) than the positive group. In the receiver-operating characteristic analysis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein had an area under the curve of >0.7, and the best cutoff values were 6.0 (accuracy 70.3%) and 12.7 mg/L (accuracy 76.2%), respectively.

Conclusion

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥6 and C-reactive protein level ≥12.7 mg/L was significantly associated with negative CSF examination result.

Neurologic Emergencies in the Elderly

Neurologic diseases are a major cause of death and disability in elderly patients. Due to the physiologic changes and increased comorbidities that occur as people age, neurologic diseases are more common in geriatric patients and a major cause of death and disability in this population. This article discusses the elderly patient presenting to the emergency department with acute ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, chronic subdural hematoma, traumatic brain injury, seizures, and central nervous system infections. This article reviews the subtle presentations, difficult workups, and complicated treatment decisions as they pertain to our older patients."

Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Nervous System Infections in the Emergency Department

Central nervous system (CNS) infections, including meningitis, encephalitis, and brain abscess, are rare but time-sensitive emergency department (ED) diagnoses. Patients with CNS infection can present to the ED with nonspecific signs and symptoms, including headache, fever, altered mental status, and behavioral changes. Neuroimaging and CSF fluid analysis can appear benign early in the course of disease. Delaying therapy negatively impacts outcomes, particularly with bacterial meningitis and herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Therefore, diagnosis of CNS infection requires vigilance and a high index of suspicion based on the history and physical examination, which must be confirmed with appropriate imaging and laboratory evaluation.

Sepsis and Other Infectious Disease Emergencies in the Elderly

Waning immunity and declining anatomic and physiologic defenses render the elder vulnerable to a wide range of infectious diseases. Clinical presentations are often atypical and muted, favoring global changes in mental status and function over febrile responses or localizing symptoms. This review encompasses early recognition, evaluation, and appropriate management of these common infections specifically in the context of elders presenting to the emergency department. With enhanced understanding and appreciation of the unique aspects of infections in the elderly, emergency physicians can play an integral part in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with these often debilitating and life-threatening diseases.

Usefulness of blood and cerebrospinal fluid laboratory testing to predict bacterial meningitis in the emergency department

INTRODUCTION

The classic clinical presentation of bacterial meningitis (BM) is observed in less than half of the cases in adults, and symptoms are less specific in children, the elderly or immunocompromised, and other chronic patients. The usual signs and symptoms do not provide optimal sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing possible BM from viral meningitis (VM), which may lead to a delay in the appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Society therefore stands to benefit from the development of effective, objective, and rapid tools able to predict and identify patients with BM. These tools include laboratory tests for blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The aim of this review is to summarise recently published scientific evidence in order to clarify existing controversies and compare the usefulness and diagnostic ability of the different parameters used to predict BM.

DEVELOPMENT

Systematic search of the main bibliographic databases and platforms to identify articles published between January 2000 and January 2016. We selected 59 articles that meet the objectives of this review.

CONCLUSIONS

CSF lactate, proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and CSF glucose, as well as serum procalcitonin (PCT), are the independent factors most predictive of bacterial aetiology. The model that combines serum PCT and CSF lactate achieves the highest predictive power for BM, with a sensitivity and specificity exceeding 99%. We should consider BM when CSF lactate >33 md/dL and/or PCT>0.25ng/mL.

Gender Differences in Community-acquired Meningitis in Adults: Clinical Presentations and Prognostic Factors

Community-acquired meningitis is a serious disease that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender differences involved with the clinical presentations of and prognostic factors for this disease. We conducted a retrospective study of 619 adults diagnosed with community-acquired meningitis in Houston, Texas, who were hospitalized between 2005 and 2010. Patients were categorized as male or female. Those who were evaluated to have a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of four or less were classified to have an adverse clinical outcome. Males consisted of 47.2% (292/619) of the total cohort, and more often presented with coexisting medical conditions, fever, abnormal microbiology results, and abnormalities on head computed tomography. Females more often presented with nuchal rigidity. On logistic regression, fever, CSF glucose <45 mg/dL, and an abnormal neurological examination were predictors of an adverse outcome in male patients, while age greater than 60 years and an abnormal neurological examination were associated with a poor prognosis in female patients. Thus, community-acquired meningitis in males differs significantly from females in regards to comorbidities, presenting symptoms and signs, abnormal laboratory and imaging analysis, and predictors of adverse clinical outcomes.

Proposal for a New Score-Based Approach To Improve Efficiency of Diagnostic Laboratory Workflow for Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Adults

Microbiological tests on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) utilize a common urgent-care procedure that does not take into account the chemical and cytological characteristics of the CSF, resulting sometimes in an unnecessary use of human and diagnostic resources. The aim of this study was to retrospectively validate a simple scoring system (bacterial meningitis-Careggi score [BM-CASCO]) based on blood and CSF sample chemical/cytological parameters for evaluating the probability of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in adults. BM-CASCO (range, 0 to 6) was defined by the following parameters: CSF cell count, CSF protein levels, CSF lactate levels, CSF glucose-to-serum glucose ratio, and peripheral neutrophil count. BM-CASCO was retrospectively calculated for 784 cases of suspected ABM in adult subjects observed during a four-and-a-half-year-period (2010 to 2014) at the emergency department (ED) of a large tertiary-care teaching hospital in Italy. Among the 28 confirmed ABM cases (3.5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequent cause (16 cases). All ABM cases showed a BM-CASCO value of ≥3. Most negative cases (591/756) exhibited a BM-CASCO value of ≤1, which was adopted in our laboratory as a cutoff to not proceed with urgent microbiological analysis of CSF in cases of suspected ABM in adults. During a subsequent 1-year follow-up, the introduction of the BM-CASCO in the diagnostic workflow of ABM in adults resulted in a significant decrease in unnecessary microbiological analysis, with no false negatives. In conclusion, BM-CASCO appears to be an accurate and simple scoring system for optimization of the microbiological diagnostic workflow of ABM in adults.

Viral infections of the central nervous system in elderly patients: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Very few data exist on viral meningitis and encephalitis in elderly patients (>65 years old).

METHODS

This study investigated the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), HHV-7, HHV-8, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), enterovirus (EV), human adenovirus (HAdV), human parechoviruses (HPeVs), and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) through real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in patients >65 years old who had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tested for a suspected central nervous system infection.

RESULTS

A total of 2868 RT-PCRs were performed on 502 CSF samples. Overall, 65 positive RT-PCRs were found: 23 for HSV (35.4% of positives), 15 for EV (23.1% of positives), 14 for EBV (21.5% of positives), 12 for VZV (18.5% of positives), and one for CMV (1.5% of positives). A positive RT-PCR in CSF was detected in 24 (17.4%) patients aged ≥ 80 years and in 35 (9.6%) patients aged 65-79 years (p=0.02). VZV was more frequently detected in the oldest subjects (5.9% vs. 1.6%, p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

HSV was the most common viral aetiology identified in the study, with VZV infection being recognized more frequently in those patients aged ≥ 80 years.

Brain ventricular dimensions and relationship to outcome in adult patients with bacterial meningitis

Background

Experimental studies suggest that changes in brain ventricle size are key events in bacterial meningitis. This study investigated the relationship between ventricle size, clinical condition and risk of poor outcome in patients with bacterial meningitis.

Methods

Adult patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis admitted to two departments of infectious diseases from 2003 through 2010 were identified. Clinical and biochemical data as well as cerebral computed tomographic images were collected. The size of the brain ventricles were presented as a Ventricle to Brain Ratio (VBR). Normal range of VBR was defined from an age matched control group. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of 30-day mortality.

Results

One hundred and seven patients were included. Eighty-one patients had a CT scan at the time of diagnosis. VBR was identified as an independent risk factor of 30-day mortality, Mortality Rate Ratio: 6.03 (95 % confidence interval: 1.61-22.64, p = 0.008) for highest versus lowest tertile. A VBR deviating more than 2 standard deviations from the normal range was associated with increased mortality.

Conclusions

Brain ventricles are commonly subject to marked changes in size as a consequence of meningitis. Increased brain ventricle size in the acute phase of bacterial meningitis was associated with increased mortality.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1097-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.