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Ventricular involvement in experimental Hemophilus influenzae meningitis
The Journal of Pediatrics
|December 1, 1978
Summary
Ventricular involvement is a consistent finding in infant rhesus monkeys with Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis. However, the cellular inflammatory response within the ventricles was notably reduced compared to other cerebrospinal fluid sites.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis can lead to severe neurological complications.
- Understanding the distribution of infection within the central nervous system is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and extent of ventricular system involvement in Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis in a primate model.
- To compare bacterial and host inflammatory cell densities between ventricular and other cerebrospinal fluid compartments.
Main Methods:
- Ten bacteremic infant rhesus monkeys were inoculated with Hib.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from ventricular, cisternal, and lumbar spaces.
- Bacterial and leukocyte densities were quantified in all CSF samples.
Main Results:
- Hib was cultured from all 22 ventricular CSF samples analyzed.
- Bacterial densities in ventricular CSF were comparable to cisternal and lumbar CSF.
- Leukocyte densities were significantly lower in ventricular CSF compared to cisternal CSF.
Conclusions:
- Infection of the lateral cerebral ventricles is a universal characteristic of Hib meningitis in infant monkeys.
- Despite uniform bacterial presence, the cellular inflammatory response in the ventricles is diminished.