Community-acquired Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in adults.
Haemophilus influenzae is an uncommon cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. This report describes a prospective evaluation of 16 episodes of community-acquired H. influenzae meningitis in a nationwide study on bacterial meningitis. Predisposing conditions were present in eight (50%) of the 16 episodes; the most common predisposing conditions were otitis or sinusitis (five episodes; 31%) and remote neurosurgery or head trauma (three episodes; 19%). One (6%) episode was fatal and hearing loss occurred in four (25%) episodes. It was concluded that H. influenzae meningitis in adults is a disease with a rather benign clinical course and a relatively good prognosis compared with pneumococcal meningitis.
Brouwer
M C
MC
Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.c.brouwer@amc.uva.nl
van de Beek
D
D
Heckenberg
S G B
SG
Spanjaard
L
L
de Gans
J
J
D000328:Adult; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000145:classification*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping