title: Acute bacterial meningitis in adults. A 12-year review.
abstract: One hundred three episodes of acute bacterial meningitis in adults hospitalized in Edmonton's 2 largest hospitals from 1985 to 1996 were reviewed. Cases complicating neurosurgery were excluded. Most cases were community-acquired (87%). Twenty-three cases remained culture-negative, and there was no statistical relation between culture negativity and antibiotic pretreatment. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen (52.5%), but Listeria monocytogenes was the second most common isolate, accounting for 12.5% of culture-positive cases. Compared to non-listerial meningitis, those with listeriosis were more likely to have negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Gram stains (p = 0.07), CSF leukocyte counts < 1,000 cells/mm3 (p < 0.003), and normal CSF glucose (p = 0.006). Bacterial antigen detection was found to be of low sensitivity: 33% in all patients, but only 9% in cases with negative CSF Gram stains. The overall mortality was 18%, with 15 deaths directly attributable to acute meningitis; the case-fatality rates for S. pneumoniae and L. monocytogenes were 24% and 40%, respectively. Mortality was significantly higher among those with seizures (34% versus 7%, respectively; p < 0.001; OR = 17.6). Despite the urgency of acute bacterial meningitis, there were considerable delays in the institution of empiric antibiotics; mortality rates were slightly higher in those who experienced such a delay (16% versus 7% respectively; p = 0.18).
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shafran
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents