Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Clinical study of 44 cases of Staphylococcus aureus meningitis

V Pintado1, M A Meseguer, J Fortún

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Carretera de Colmenar km 9.1, 28034 Madrid, Spain. vpintado@hrc.salud-madrid.org

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|January 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus meningitis is a serious infection. Postoperative cases had better outcomes than spontaneous meningitis, with lower mortality rates.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of bacterial meningitis.
  • Distinguishing between postoperative and spontaneous meningitis is crucial for understanding patient profiles and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical features and outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus meningitis.
  • To compare characteristics and prognoses of postoperative versus spontaneous Staphylococcus aureus meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 44 patients with Staphylococcus aureus meningitis over 20 years.
  • Analysis of clinical presentation, treatment, and mortality rates.
  • Comparison of patient demographics and risk factors between postoperative and spontaneous meningitis groups.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 10.2% of bacterial meningitis cases.
  • Postoperative meningitis patients were younger and had fewer comorbidities than spontaneous cases.
  • Overall mortality was 27%, with significantly higher mortality in spontaneous meningitis (50%) compared to postoperative (14%).
  • Factors associated with mortality included advanced age, spontaneous meningitis, altered mental status, severe underlying diseases, bacteremia, and septic shock.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus aureus meningitis presents differently in postoperative versus spontaneous cases.
  • Prompt recognition and treatment are vital, though outcomes vary significantly based on etiology and patient factors.
  • Postoperative meningitis generally has a better prognosis than spontaneous meningitis.

More Related Videos

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model07:26

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model

Published on: July 1, 2018

Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus08:32

Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: January 17, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...