title: The use of corticosteroids in the management of bacterial meningitis in adults.
abstract: Despite the introduction of newer antimicrobial agents, bacterial meningitis continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Evidence from in-vitro studies, experimental animal models, and clinical studies indicate that the host inflammatory response is responsible for much of the deleterious consequences of this disease. Thus, there is much interest in the adjunctive use of antiinflammatory agents in the therapy of bacterial meningitis. Although there is considerable evidence from animal models and from clinical trials in children that adjunctive antiinflammatory therapy with corticosteroids is effective in reducing inflammation and in improving long-term outcomes, similar data involving adults are largely lacking. The rationale for the use of corticosteroids in the management of bacterial meningitis, and the applicability to disease in adults, are discussed, and some recommendations for their use in this setting are made.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Scheld
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone