Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection
05:55

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection

Published on: May 7, 2020

Induced hypothermia in adult community-acquired bacterial meningitis--more than just a possibility?

Dragan Lepur1, Marko Kutleša, Bruno Baršić

  • 1Department of Neuroinfections and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljević, Zagreb 10000, Croatia. lepurix@inet.hr

The Journal of Infection
|October 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Mild hypothermia shows promise for treating bacterial meningitis in adults. This approach, guided by Transcranial Doppler assessments, may improve outcomes in carefully selected patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Community-acquired bacterial meningitis is a serious infection with significant morbidity and mortality.
  • Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is an emerging treatment modality for various neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mild hypothermia in adult patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis.
  • To define criteria for selecting patients suitable for therapeutic hypothermia.

Main Methods:

  • Case series of adult patients with bacterial meningitis treated with hypothermia.
  • Major criterion for TH: impaired carbon dioxide reactivity (CO(2)R) assessed by Transcranial Doppler (TCD).
  • Minor criteria for TH (in patients lacking temporal acoustic window): optic nerve sheath diameter ≥ 6.0 mm and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤ 8.

Main Results:

  • Mild hypothermia was utilized in a selected group of adult patients with bacterial meningitis.
  • The study involved specific monitoring and patient selection criteria.

Conclusions:

  • Mild hypothermia, when applied with appropriate monitoring in selected patients, appears to be a promising treatment for community-acquired bacterial meningitis.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.

More Related Videos

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms05:00

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms

Published on: March 3, 2021

Related Concept Videos

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 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...
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...
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...
Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...