Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

Age-Specific Antibiograms for Bacterial Meningitis Pathogens Based on Isolates Collected in a Community Laboratory

Alexsa J Zurowski1, Eugene Y H Yeung2,3,4

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Neurosci
|June 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Age-specific antibiograms are crucial for accurate antimicrobial resistance data in bacterial meningitis. Ceftriaxone remains effective for pneumococcal meningitis on Vancouver Island, but age impacts E. coli susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background:

  • Standard antibiograms may not accurately reflect pediatric antimicrobial resistance patterns.
  • Current guidelines for bacterial meningitis treatment, particularly for *Streptococcus pneumoniae*, vary regarding monotherapy versus combination therapy.
  • The need for age-specific resistance data is highlighted to guide regional treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create age-specific antibiograms for bacterial meningitis pathogens.
  • To assess antimicrobial resistance patterns at a regional level using real-world data.
  • To determine the necessity of combination antibiotic therapy for meningitis based on local resistance data.

Main Methods:

  • Collected susceptibility data for common bacterial meningitis pathogens from LifeLabs on Vancouver Island.
  • Data spanned from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024.
  • Analyzed pathogen susceptibility across different age groups (<18, 18-50, >50 years).

Main Results:

  • High susceptibility rates of *Streptococcus pneumoniae* to ceftriaxone (78/83 isolates) were observed using meningitis breakpoints.
  • Significant differences in *S. pneumoniae* susceptibility were noted between penicillin-meningitis and non-meningitis breakpoints (82% vs. 99%, p < 0.05).
  • Age-specific variations in ciprofloxacin susceptibility were significant for *E. coli* isolates across the three age groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Ceftriaxone is recommended as the primary treatment for community-acquired bacterial meningitis and potentially as monotherapy for pneumococcal meningitis on Vancouver Island.
  • Age-specific antibiograms are essential for understanding variations in pathogen susceptibility, particularly for *E. coli* and ciprofloxacin.
  • The study underscores the importance of localized, age-stratified antimicrobial resistance data for effective treatment guidelines.
Abstract

Keywords:
British Columbia communityEscherichia coliStreptococcus pneumoniaeantibiogramsbacterial meningitisceftriaxoneciprofloxacincumulative antimicrobial susceptibility testingvancomycin

More Related Videos

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae06:04

Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Published on: February 24, 2023

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

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...