Therapy of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis: the clock is running.
Despite antibiotic therapy and supportive intensive medical care, bacterial meningitis remains a disease with high mortality and morbidity. Rapid recognition of symptoms is crucial to direct physicians quickly towards appropriate diagnostic measures and, initially, empiric antibiotic therapy. It has become evident that time from arrival at the hospital to application of the first dose of antibiotics is a crucial independent factor that influences outcome. Here, we review the clinical and laboratory presentation of community-acquired bacterial meningitis and the antibiotic regiments that are currently recommended for its treatment; future therapeutic options are also discussed. Finally, suggestions for the approach to a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis are presented.
Klein
M
M
Ludwig Maximilians University, Department of Neurology, Klinikum Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 83533 Munich, Germany.
Pfister
H W
HW
Leib
S L
SL
Koedel
U
U
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone