[Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in adults: analysis of 12 cases].
Haemophilus influenzae is an infrequent etiologic agent of bacterial meningitis in adult patients. In the last 12 years, it was the cause in 12 out of 238 cases (5.0%) of acute bacterial meningitis in adults. There were 5 men and 7 women with a mean age (SD) of 45.4 (16) years (range: 18-68 years). Seven patients (60%) had a communication between subarachnoid space and skin surface or mucosal cavities, and five (41.7%) had otitis or sinusitis. Most of the strains (9/12) were serotype b. Only one patient (8.3%) developed severe neurologic and extra-neurologic complications, and was the one who died. One of the survivors (9.1%) had partial deafness. H. influenzae is not a negligible cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. Moreover, its detection has been increasing in the last years. Patients with a cerebrospinal fluid leak, otitis or sinusitis are at high risk. The outcome is usually favorable if an early adequate therapy is given.
Domingo
P
P
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Pericas
R
R
Mirelis
B
B
Nolla
J
J
Prats
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control