Gram-negative bacillary meningitis in the adult: review of 39 cases

Southern Medical Journal
|December 1, 1986
PubMed

Insights

This study reviewed gram-negative meningitis in adults from 1976-1984. Chloramphenicol use correlated with increased mortality, suggesting it is not an optimal treatment for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Gram-negative meningitis is a serious infection affecting the central nervous system.
  • Understanding treatment efficacy and mortality trends is crucial for patient outcomes.

Observation:

  • A review of 45 episodes of gram-negative meningitis in 39 adult patients between 1976 and 1984 was conducted.
  • Common causes included dura-arachnoid disruption, septic episodes, and bacterial mastoiditis.

Findings:

  • The overall mortality rate for gram-negative meningitis during this period was 35.9%.
  • Intrathecal antibiotic courses varied, with 13 patients receiving full courses and 8 receiving abbreviated courses.
  • The use of chloramphenicol was associated with poorer patient outcomes.

Implications:

  • Findings suggest chloramphenicol may be detrimental for treating gram-negative meningitis.
  • Further research into optimal antibiotic strategies for gram-negative meningitis is warranted.
  • This data highlights the importance of evaluating antibiotic effectiveness in clinical practice.

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
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...
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,...