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[Clinical and laboratory characteristics of pyogenic meningitis in adults]
1Departamento de Neuro-Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador BA, Brasil.
Abstract:
We reviewed the charts of 176 adult patients, admitted with a diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis, in the Hospital Couto Maia, from January 1990 to December 1992. All the patients had community-acquired meningitis. In 120 patients we could identify the causative agent on Gram's staining and culture. The most common pathogens were N. meningitidis (56.7%) S. pneumoniae (37.5%) and E. coli (3.3%). The overall lethality rate was 19.8% and the lethality was greater in the group with streptococcus meningitis (31.8%). The mean age and the leukocyte in the peripheral blood were greater in the group with S. pneumoniae meningitis than in the meningococal group. Cutaneous hemorrhagic lesions was and excellent predictor meningococcal meningitis.
Insights
This study on bacterial meningitis found Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae to be the most common causes. Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis had a higher lethality rate, while skin lesions predicted meningococcal meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Acute bacterial meningitis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding causative agents and their epidemiological patterns is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose:
- To identify the common causative agents of community-acquired bacterial meningitis.
- To analyze the clinical characteristics, lethality rates, and predictors of different pathogens.
Summary:
- A review of 176 adult patients with bacterial meningitis identified Neisseria meningitidis (56.7%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (37.5%) as the predominant pathogens.
- The overall lethality rate was 19.8%, with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis exhibiting a higher lethality (31.8%).
- Cutaneous hemorrhagic lesions were identified as a strong predictor of meningococcal meningitis.
Impact:
- Provides essential etiological data for bacterial meningitis in the studied population.
- Highlights the differential lethality and clinical features associated with key pathogens.
- Informs clinical suspicion and diagnostic approaches, particularly the significance of skin manifestations.