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Cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels and sensorineural hearing loss in bacterial meningitis

M Eisenhut1, T Meehan, L Batchelor

  • 1Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, Alder Hey, Eaton Road, L12 2AP Liverpool, Great Britain. michael.eisenhut@talk21.com

Infection
|October 18, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose levels are linked to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in bacterial meningitis. This study found significantly lower CSF glucose in patients with SNHL, particularly from Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a known complication of bacterial meningitis.
  • Previous studies suggest a link between low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and SNHL, but systematic data are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between CSF glucose levels and SNHL in patients with bacterial meningitis.
  • To determine if specific bacterial pathogens influence this relationship.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective case-control study was performed.
  • CSF glucose levels were compared between 47 patients with SNHL and 145 controls without SNHL following bacterial meningitis.

Main Results:

  • Mean CSF glucose was significantly lower in patients with SNHL (1.3 mmol/l) compared to controls (2.5 mmol/l) (p < 0.001).
  • This difference was significant for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis but not Neisseria meningitidis.
  • Treatment delay was longer in cases and did not affect the glucose-CSF findings if over 12 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Lower CSF glucose levels in bacterial meningitis (excluding N. meningitidis) are associated with an increased risk of developing SNHL.
  • This association is independent of symptom duration before diagnosis.

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