title: Bacterial meningitis--the importance of cerebro-spinal fluid examination.
abstract: The role of lumbar puncture in bacterial meningitis has been debated in recent years, especially in the presence of worsening headache, alteration of conscious level, focal neurological signs, papilloedema or a haemorrhagic rash. However valuable bacteriological and epidemiological information will be lost if lumbar puncture is avoided, despite blood cultures being taken. This loss of information will be highlighted if pre-admission antibiotics are administered (this should now be standard practice).
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Monklands Hospital NHS Trust, Airdrie.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McCarron
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013129:Spinal Puncture