title: [Acute bacterial meningitis: an update].
abstract: In patients with clinically suspected acute bacterial meningitis, physicians should aim for a quick diagnostic workup including lumbar puncture. Cerebral imaging before lumbar puncture is only indicated in patients with focal neurologic deficits, impaired consciousness, epileptic seizures within one week before presentation or a history of immunosuppression. One important prognostic factor is a rapid initiation of an empiric antibiotic therapy which should best be started within 1 hour after hospital admission.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Hans-Walter
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Pfister
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D061665:Time-to-Treatment
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents