Bacterial meningitis caused by the use of ventricular or lumbar cerebrospinal fluid catheters.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study the authors compared the incidence and risk factors for external drainage-related bacterial meningitis (ED-BM) by using ventricular and lumbar catheters.


METHODS
A cohort of 230 consecutive patients with ED was evaluated. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained daily for microbiological culture, and ED-BM was defined based on culture results in combination with clinical symptoms. The incidence of ED-BM was 7% in lumbar and 15% in ventricular drains. Independent risk factors included site leakage, drain blockage, and most importantly duration of ED. Despite a higher infection rate, ventricular catheters did not have a significant higher risk of infection after correcting for duration of drainage.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of data in the present study showed that the incidence of ED-associated death is low (0.45%) in patients who do not receive continuous antibiotic prophylaxis during ED.
Schade
Rogier P
RP
Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. r.schade@mmb.umcn.nl
Schinkel
Janke
J
Visser
Leo G
LG
Van Dijk
J Marc C
JM
Voormolen
Joan H C
JH
Kuijper
Ed J
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000382:microbiology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*