title: Evaluation of posttraumatic recurrent bacterial meningitis in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute bacterial meningitis may develop as a complication after head trauma. The aim of this study was to present the demographic, clinical, microbiological and radiological characteristics of adult patients who presented with recurrent bacterial meningitis attacks after trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a retrospective approach, the medical records of patients with acute recurrent bacterial meningitis (RBM) were reviewed, and those who had a history of trauma were included into the study. RBM was diagnosed based on clinical, bacteriologic and laboratory results. Demographic characteristics, clinical course, laboratory test results including cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF), radiological images, and the applied treatments were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of two hundred and twelve patients with acute bacterial meningitis were included into the study. RBM was diagnosed in twenty-five patients (11.8%), and in 18 of these patients (8.5%), the attacks had occurred subsequent to a trauma. In the CSF cultures of four patients, S. pneumoniae growth was observed. CT cisternography indicated CSF leaks in eleven patients. Moreover, bone fractures were observed in the CT images of ten patients. Ceftriaxone therapy was prescribed to 83% of the patients. Eight patients had a history of a fall in childhood, and five were involved in traffic accidents before acute bacterial meningitis. Four of the patients developed epilepsy and one developed deafness as sequelae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since RBM attacks are frequently observed following trauma, in patients with a history of trauma who present with meningitis, the risk of recurrence should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özcan
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Deveci
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sefer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varol
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bismil State Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bekçibaşı
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoşoğlu
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult