Community-acquired Acute Bacterial Meningitis Research Articles

Noncompressive myelopathy in acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis: Report of seven cases and review of literature.

Bacterial meningitis is a severe disease with high rates of complications and unfavorable outcome. Complications involving the spinal cord are rarely reported. Cases of noncompressive myelopathy were identified from a nationwide cohort study of adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis in the Netherlands. The American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale was used to classify the severity of spinal cord dysfunction. Subsequently, we reviewed the literature on noncompressive myelopathy as a complication of bacterial meningitis. Noncompressive myelopathy was reported in seven of 3047 episodes of community-acquired bacterial meningitis (0.2%). The median age of these patients was 51 years (range = 17-77). Causative pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae in three, Streptococcus agalactiae in two, and Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae both in one. Paresis of legs (n = 6) or arms and legs (n = 1) was the presenting symptom, occurring after a median duration of 9 days after admission (range = 2-28). Spinal magnetic resonance imaging showed T2-weighted abnormalities of the spinal cord in six of seven patients. Improvement of spinal cord function during admission was noted in four of seven patients. The literature review yielded 15 additional cases. Among patients from our cohort and the literature, there was no significant association between immunosuppressive therapy and subsequent improvement of spinal cord function (5/8 patients with immunosuppressive therapy [63%] vs. 5/14 without immunosuppressive therapy [36%], p = 0.44). Noncompressive myelopathy is an uncommon but severe complication of bacterial meningitis. Improvement after diagnosis is expected, but all patients had persistent neurological deficits.

Prognostic Factors for Japanese Adults With Acute Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis: A Retrospective Study.

Background This study aimed to determine if the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count is useful for predicting the infection severity or prognosis in Japanese adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis. Methodology This study retrospectively evaluated the prognosis of patients diagnosed with community-acquired bacterial meningitis at our hospital from January 2004 to December 2021 using the modified Rankin scale (mRs) (Showa General Hospital; N = 39). Patients were classified into the following two groups: (i) favorable (mRs: 0-3) and (ii) unfavorable (mRs: 4-6). Eight factors were selected and compared with outcomes, and then two factors were evaluated from those, and a multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the significant variables. Results CSF cell count was observed to be associated with poor prognoses (odds ratio (OR) = 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99995-0.99999, p = 0.0012). Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score on admission was also observed to be associated with poor prognoses (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.89145-0.97290, p = 0.0029). Conclusions Low CSF cell count and low GCS on admission were observed as risk factors for poor prognoses in patients with bacterial meningitis.

Detection and Management of Elevated Intracranial Pressure in the Treatment of Acute Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis: A Systematic Review.

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is associated with severe morbidity and mortality. The most prevalent pathogens in community-acquired ABM are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Other pathogens may affect specific patient groups, such as newborns, older patients, or immunocompromised patients. It is well established that ABM is associated with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). However, the role of ICP monitoring and management in the treatment of ABM has been poorly described.An electronic search was performed in four electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The search strategy chosen for this review used the following terms: Intracranial Pressure AND (management OR monitoring) AND bacterial meningitis. The search yielded a total of 403 studies, of which 18 were selected for inclusion. Eighteen studies were finally included in this review. Only one study was a randomized controlled trial. All studies employed invasive ICP monitoring techniques, whereas some also relied on assessment of ICP-based on clinical and/or radiological observations. The most commonly used invasive tools were external ventricular drains, which were used both to monitor and treat elevated ICP. Results from the included studies revealed a clear association between elevated ICP and mortality, and possibly improved outcomes when invasive ICP monitoring and management were used. Finally, the review highlights the absence of clear standardized protocols for the monitoring and management of ICP in patients with ABM. This review provides an insight into the role of invasive ICP monitoring and ICP-based management in the treatment of ABM. Despite weak evidence certainty, the present literature points toward enhanced patient outcomes in ABM with the use of treatment strategies aiming to normalize ICP using continuous invasive monitoring and cerebrospinal fluid diversion techniques. Continued research is needed to define when and how to employ these strategies to best improve outcomes in ABM.

Etiology, Clinical Presentation, and Outcomes of Bacterial Meningitis in Adult Patients: A Retrospective Study in Lithuania (2018-2021).

BACKGROUND Bacterial meningitis is a serious and life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. This retrospective study aimed to identify causes, presentation, and predictive factors for outcomes of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in 86 adults in Vilnius, Lithuania between 2018 and 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study of demographic, clinical, and laboratory records of 86 adult patients admitted to Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics with a diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis during the period of 2018-2021. RESULTS Of 86 patients, 54 (62.79%) were men. The median (Md) age of patients was 58 (range, 18-83) years and the median duration of hospitalization was 20 (range, 3-92) days. Patients were first hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in 59.3% of cases. The most prevalent concerns were headache (66.28%), febrile temperature (56.98%), general fatigue (53.49%), and confusion/sleepiness (52.33%). Of 57 (66.28%) etiologically confirmed cases, the most prevalent agent was Listeria monocytogenes (29.82%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (28.07%) and Neisseria meningitidis (28.07%). Patients with meningitis caused by L. monocytogenes were the oldest (P=0.003) and had the longest hospitalization (P<0.001). Fatigue was the prominent symptom in patients with meningococcal meningitis (81.2%, P=0.010). Twelve patients (13.95%) have died. Advanced age and low (<100 cells per μL) white blood cell (WBC) count in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were associated with lethal outcome, whereas headache was associated with favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS Clinical characteristics of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis differ based on etiological factors. Patient age, CSF WBC count, and headache may be significant predictive factors for outcomes of bacterial meningitis.

German guidelines on community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis in adults

IntroductionThe incidence of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis has decreased during the last decades. However, outcome remains poor with a significant proportion of patients not surviving and up to 50% of survivors suffering from long-term sequelae. These guidelines were developed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie (DGN) under guidance of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften (AWMF) to guide physicians through diagnostics and treatment of adult patients with acute bacterial meningitis.RecommendationsThe most important recommendations are: (i) In patients with suspected acute bacterial meningitis, we recommend that lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (with simultaneous collection of serum to determine the cerebrospinal fluid-serum glucose index and blood cultures) is obtained immediately after the clinical examination (in the absence of severely impaired consciousness, focal neurological deficits, and/or new epileptic seizures). (ii) Next, we recommend application of dexamethasone and empiric antibiotics intravenously. (iii) The recommended initial empiric antibiotic regimen consists of ampicillin and a group 3a cephalosporin (e.g., ceftriaxone). (iv) In patients with severely impaired consciousness, new onset focal neurological deficits (e.g. hemiparesis) and/or patients with newly occurring epileptic seizures, we recommend that dexamethasone and antibiotics are started immediately after the collection of blood; we further recommend that —if the imaging findings do not indicate otherwise —a lumbar CSF sample is taken directly after imaging. (v) Due to the frequent occurrence of intracranial and systemic complications, we suggest that patients with acute bacterial meningitis are treated at an intensive care unit in the initial phase of the disease. In the case of impaired consciousness, we suggest that this is done at an intensive care unit with experience in the treatment of patients with severe CNS diseases.ConclusionsThe German S2k-guidelines give up to date recommendations for workup, diagnostics and treatment in adult patients with acute bacterial meningitis.

Serum levels of neurofilament light chain, neuron-specific enolase and S100 calcium-binding protein B during acute bacterial meningitis: a prospective cohort study

Purpose Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a severe disease with an overall poor outcome. Neurofilament (NFL) has shown to be a promising biomarker of neuroaxonal injury in various neurological disorders but has not been investigated in ABM. The aims of this study were (i) to obtain a temporal profile of NFL, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100B in serum during ABM, and (ii) to evaluate their use as biomarkers of severity (Glasgow coma score) and prognosis (Glasgow Outcome Score, GOS and death) in severe ABM. Methods Fifteen adults with severe community-acquired ABM who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. Lumbar puncture and blood tests were performed on admission, and blood tests were performed three times daily during the ICU stay. GOS was obtained day 30. Results Serum NFL was significantly elevated in ABM patients compared to healthy controls, both at admission and throughout the observation period (p < .01). NFL increased significantly from day 1 up to day 3–6 (p < .0001), peaking day 6. NSE increased significantly from admission up to day 3 (p < .01). At day 5–6, the serum values were not significantly different from values at admission. The highest median serum value of S100B was observed at admission (0.10 µg/L, IQR 0.06–0.14), significantly decreasing day 4–6 (p < .05). None of the investigated biomarkers revealed significant correlation with severity and prognosis. Conclusion This study represents a first clinical observation of the temporal profile of NFL in serum, in severe ABM. No correlation with severity or prognosis.

Management of Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Children.

Acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis (ABM) in children continues to have high rates of neurological morbidity and mortality despite the overall declining rates of infection attributed to the use of vaccines and intrapartum Group B Streptococcus prophylaxis. Prompt diagnosis and early antibiotic therapy are crucial and should not be delayed to obtain cranial imaging. Differentiating bacterial from viral meningitis continues to be a clinical dilemma especially in patients with previous antibiotic exposure. Clinical models and inflammatory biomarkers can aid clinicians in their diagnostic approach. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and metagenomic next-generation sequencing are promising tools that can help in early and accurate diagnosis. This review will present the epidemiology of ABM in children, indications of cranial imaging, role of different models and serum biomarkers in diagnosing ABM, and management including the use of adjunctive therapies and methods of prevention.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults: emergency department management protocol.

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a rare but disabling infectious condition that requires a performant multidisciplinary management approach. Between 70 and 90 adult patients are diagnosed with community-acquired ABM in Belgium annually, and reported case fatality rates range from 17 to 40%. The currently available guidelines provide evidence-based guidance on how to manage this disease. However, these guidelines do not translate the evidence to the daily practice at the emergency department in a Belgian healthcare context. We created a taskforce in University Hospitals Leuven consisting of experts with complementary expertise in managing this disease: neurology, neurosurgery, intensive care medicine, microbiology and infectious diseases. The taskforce agreed upon a flowchart containing seven management steps encompassing all relevant phases in emergency ABM management. In addition to the focus on timely and adequate initiation of antimicrobial treatment, the flowchart and protocol also provide guidance on practical hurdles such as how to assess the safety of performing a lumbar puncture and when to refer patients to the intensive care department. This protocol was implemented in University Hospitals Leuven and fosters inter-disciplinary coordination of ABM care.

Community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis in adults: a clinical update.

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in adults is associated with a mortality that may exceed 30%. Immunization programs have reduced the global burden; in the UK, declining incidence but persistently high mortality and morbidity mean that clinicians must remain vigilant. A systematic electronic literature search of PubMed was performed to identify all ABM literature published within the past 5years. Clinical features cannot reliably distinguish between ABM and other important infectious and non-infectious aetiologies. Prompt investigation and empirical treatment are imperative. Lumbar puncture (LP) and cerebrospinal fluid microscopy, biochemistry and culture remain the mainstay of diagnosis, but molecular techniques are increasingly useful. The 2016 UK joint specialist societies' guideline provides expert recommendations for the management of ABM, yet published data suggest clinical care delivered in the UK is frequently not adherent. Anxiety regarding risk of cerebral herniation following LP, unnecessary neuroimaging, underutilization of molecular diagnostics and suboptimal uptake of adjunctive corticosteroids compromise management. There is increasing recognition that current antibiotic regimens and adjunctive therapies alone are insufficient to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with ABM. Research should be focused on optimization of vaccines (e.g. pneumococcal conjugate vaccines with extended serotype coverage), targeting groups at risk for disease and reservoirs for transmission; improving adherence to management guidelines; development of new faster, more accurate diagnostic platforms (e.g. novel point-of-care molecular diagnostics); and development of new adjunctive therapies (aimed at the host-inflammatory response and bacterial virulence factors).

57-Year-Old Woman With Fever and Confusion

57-Year-Old Woman With Fever and Confusion

336. Characteristics of Acute Bacterial Meningitis and Predictors of Mortality

BackgroundAcute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency associated with morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to describe clinical features, causative organisms and predictors of death among patients presented with community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted at Nakhonpathom Hospital, a 700-bed tertiary care hospital in Thailand during July 2013 and August 2017. The data on demography, clinical presentation, and outcome were collected. Factors associated with death were analysed.ResultsDuring study period, there were 55 patients. Median age was 45 (range 19 to 89) years and 38 (69%) were male. Median duration of symptom before hospitalization were 2 (range 1 to 6) days. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (98%), headache (94%), and decreased level of consciousness (75%). The classic triad of fever, headache, and neck stiffness was documented in 53%. Computed tomography scan of brain were abnormal among 57% of 35 patients. Bacteria was isolated in CSF or blood in 40 patients (73%). The most common isolates were S. agalactiae (17 cases), S. pneumoniae (4 cases) and Streptococcus group D (4 cases). All isolates of S. agalactiae and S. pneumoniae were penicillin sensitive. The in-hospital mortality was 20%. Factors associated with death were age more than 65 years (44% vs. 13%, P = 0.047), low CSF WBC (178 vs. 439 cells/mm3, P = 0.009), and the presence of hydrocephalus on imaging (67% vs. 9%, P = 0.047). The time interval between patients’ presentation and appropriate antibiotics administration differed significantly for patients who survive and die (22 vs. 0.5 hour, P = 0.016).ConclusionAcute bacterial meningitis remains associated with mortality. Age, CSF WBC, hydrocephalus, and delay antibiotics therapy were associated with outcome.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Prognostic factors in critically ill patients with community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis and acute kidney injury

Prognostic factors in critically ill patients with community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis and acute kidney injury

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate as a marker to differentiate between community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis/encephalitis in adults: a Danish prospective observational cohort study

Background: The ability of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate to distinguish between acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) and aseptic meningitis/encephalitis (AME) is debated. We assessed the diagnostic value of CSF lactate to discriminate between ABM and AME.Methods: We included 176 patients from a prospective adult cohort with neuroinfections. In total, 51 ABM and 125 AME patients with clinically and/or microbiologically diagnosed acute meningitis were examined with CSF-lactate and traditional markers for infection. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess diagnostic performance.Results: In CSF, lactate, leukocytes, fraction of neutrophils, protein and glucose ratio, were significantly different between the ABM and AME groups. CSF lactate had the best diagnostic value, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.976 (95%CI 0.966–0.997) and using a cut-off of 3.5 mmol/L a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 85%. Antibiotic treatment before lumbar puncture had no significant effect on the AUC of CSF lactate.Conclusions: Compared to traditional CSF-markers, CSF lactate is more accurate to distinguish between ABM and AME.

Osmotic therapies added to antibiotics for acute bacterial meningitis.

BackgroundEvery day children and adults die from acute community‐acquired bacterial meningitis, particularly in low‐income countries, and survivors risk deafness, epilepsy and neurological disabilities. Osmotic therapies may attract extra‐vascular fluid and reduce cerebral oedema, and thus reduce death and improve neurological outcomes.This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2013.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of osmotic therapies added to antibiotics for acute bacterial meningitis in children and adults on mortality, deafness and neurological disability.Search methodsWe searched CENTRAL (2017, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1950 to 17 February 2017), Embase (1974 to 17 February 2017), CINAHL (1981 to 17 February 2017), LILACS (1982 to 17 February 2017) and registers of ongoing clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.com, WHO ICTRP) (21 February 2017). We also searched conference abstracts and contacted researchers in the field (up to 12 December 2015).Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials testing any osmotic therapy in adults or children with acute bacterial meningitis.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently screened the search results and selected trials for inclusion. Results are presented using risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and grouped according to whether the participants received steroids or not. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence.Main resultsWe included five trials with 1451 participants. Four trials evaluated glycerol against placebo, and one evaluated glycerol against 50% dextrose; in addition three trials evaluated dexamethasone and one trial evaluated acetaminophen (paracetamol) in a factorial design. Stratified analysis shows no effect modification with steroids; we present aggregate effect estimates.Compared to placebo, glycerol probably has little or no effect on death in people with bacterial meningitis (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.30; 5 studies, 1272 participants; moderate‐certainty evidence), but may reduce neurological disability (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.00; 5 studies, 1270 participants; low‐certainty evidence).Glycerol may have little or no effect on seizures during treatment for meningitis (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.30; 4 studies, 1090 participants; low‐certainty evidence).Glycerol may reduce the risk of subsequent deafness (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.93; 5 studies, 922 participants; low to moderate‐certainty evidence).Glycerol probably has little or no effect on gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.19; 3 studies, 607 participants; moderate‐certainty evidence). The evidence on nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea is uncertain (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.47; 2 studies, 851 participants; very low‐certainty evidence).Authors' conclusionsGlycerol was the only osmotic therapy evaluated, and data from trials to date have not demonstrated an effect on death. Glycerol may reduce neurological deficiency and deafness.

Central Nervous System Infections

Central nervous system (CNS) infections are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Fortunately, the incidence of acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis has declined with the advancement and implementation of vaccination programs over the past 30 years. Treatment with corticosteroids, along with initial antimicrobial therapy, has also decreased the morbidity and mortality of patients with acute Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in developed countries. Molecular diagnostic testing may become a helpful tool to identify bacterial pathogens for targeted treatments. This review covers common CNS infections with a focus on the diagnosis and initial management of the adult patient suspected of having acute meningitis and encephalitis. Key words: acute meningitis, brain abscess, chronic meningitis, encephalitis, ventriculitis

Clinical decision rules for acute bacterial meningitis: current insights.

Acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis (BM) requires rapid diagnosis so that suitable treatment can be instituted within 60 minutes of admitting the patient. The cornerstone of diagnostic examination is lumbar puncture, which enables microbiological analysis and determination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytochemical characteristics. However, microbiological testing is not sufficiently sensitive to rule out this diagnosis. With regard to the analysis of standard CSF cytochemical characteristics (polymorphonuclear count, CSF glucose and protein concentration, and CSF:serum glucose), this is often misleading. Indeed, the relatively imprecise nature of the cutoff values for these BM diagnosis markers can make their interpretation difficult. However, there are two markers that appear to be more efficient than the standard ones: CSF lactate and serum procalcitonin levels. Scores and predictive models are also available; however, they only define a clinical probability, and in addition, their use calls for prior validation on the population in which they are used. In this article, we review current methods of BM diagnosis.

Clinical, Paraclinical, and Antimicrobial Resistance Features of Community-Acquired Acute Bacterial Meningitis at a Large Infectious Diseases Ward in Tehran, Iran.

In this study demographic, clinical, paraclinical, microbiological, and therapeutic features of patients with community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis admitted to a referral center for infectious diseases in Iran, have been evaluated. Medical records of adult (> 18 years) individuals with confirmed diagnosis of community-acquired bacterial meningitis during a 4-year period were retrospectively reviewed. All required data were obtained from patients' medical charts. Available findings about antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated bacteria from CSF and/or blood were also collected. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Details of medical management including antibiotic regimen, duration, patients' outcome, and possible sequelae of meningitis were recorded. The most commonly isolated microorganism from CSF or blood of patients was Streptococcus pneumonia (33.33%) followed by Neisseria meningitidis (27.78%) and Haemophilus influenza (16.67%). The most common antimicrobial regimen was ceftriaxone plus vancomycin (69.44%) followed by ceftriaxone plus vancomycin plus ampicillin (11.11%). Neurological sequelae of meningitis including cranial nerve palsy, deafness, and hemiparesis were identified in 4 (11.11%), 2 (5.56%), and 1 (2.78%) subjects, respectively. Regarding mortality, only 3 (8.33%) patients died from bacterial meningitis and the remaining 33 individuals discharged from the hospital. In conclusion, findings of the current study demonstrated that the mean incidence of acute bacterial meningitis in a referral infectious diseases ward in Iran was 9 episodes per year. The majority cases of community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis admitted to our center had negative CSF culture and classic triad of meningitis was absent in them.

Bacterial Meningitis: a five-year retrospective study among patients who had attended at University of Gondar Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Acute Bacterial Meningitis (ABM) is an important cause of death and long-term neurological disability. Recent Information on the relative frequency of the isolation and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of these pathogens is scarce in Ethiopia. This study was to document the microbial characteristics, the antibacterial sensitivity pattern, and seasonal variation of community acquired acute bacterial meningitis. The study was retrospective, conducted at university of Gondar referral hospital, serving the rural population of the northwest parts of Ethiopia. A total of three thousand and eighty five cerebrospinal fluid specimens submitted to the bacteriology laboratory for culture and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in a period between January 2006 and December 2010. Analysis of extracted data was performed using SPSS statistical software (Version 17). The etiological agent had been identified in 120 (3.8%) of the total 3,085 CSF samples by culture. Thirty-nine (32.5%) of them were infants below the age of 12 months. S. pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen accounting for 52 (43.3%) of the cases. Whereas N. meningitidis and H. influenzae accounted for 27(22.5%), and 12(10%), respectively. Other gram negative bacilli and S. aureus were isolated from 21(17.2%), and 11(9.2%) cases, respectively. Among gram positive organisms S.pneumoniae showed a high level of drug resistance against co-trimoxazole 44(84.3%). Among gram negative bacteria, N.meningitidis was found to be resistant to co-trimoxazole in 25(92.5%). E. coli and salmonella spp. were found to be resistant to most antibiotics except ciprofloxacin. Multiple drug resistance was observed in 58.3% of the isolates. S. pneumoniae remains the major etiological agent of Community Acquired Acute Bacterial Meningitis (CAABM) both in adults and children in the study area. 5.7% of S. pneumoniae were resistances to penicillin. Further research should focus on preventable aspects CAABM of, especially pneumococcal vaccines, to reduce the disease burden.

Adult bacterial meningitis—a quality registry study: earlier treatment and favourable outcome if initial management by infectious diseases physicians

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is challenging for the admitting physician because it is a rare but fulminant disease, usually presenting without typical symptoms, and rapid treatment is pivotal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of initial management by infectious diseases (ID) physicians vs. non-ID physicians. A total of 520 consecutive adults (>17 years old), 110 with initial ID management and 410 with non-ID management, registered in the Swedish quality registry for community-acquired ABM January 2008 to December 2013, were analysed retrospectively. Primary outcome was appropriate treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids <1 hour from admission. Secondary analyses were mortality during hospital stay and persisting neurological and hearing deficits at follow-up after 2 to 6 months. Differences in diagnostic treatment sequences also were analysed. Appropriate treatment <1 hour from admission was achieved significantly more often (41%) by ID physicians vs. non-ID physicians (24%) with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40 to 4.14; p < 0.01) adjusted for confounders. The door-to-antibiotic time was significantly shorter, and significantly more patients were administered corticosteroids together with the first doses of antibiotics in the ID group. A trend of decreased mortality (4.5% vs. 8.0%) and sequelae at follow-up (24% vs. 44%; adjusted OR 0.55: 95% CI 0.31 to 1.00; p 0.05) were observed in the ID group vs. the non-ID group. Antibiotics were started without prior neuroimaging more often in the ID group (86% vs. 57%; p < 0.001). Initial management at the emergency department by ID physicians is associated with earlier appropriate treatment, more appropriate diagnostic treatment sequences and favourable outcome.

Adult bacterial meningitis: earlier treatment and improved outcome following guideline revision promoting prompt lumbar puncture.

In suspected acute bacterial meningitis (ABM), cerebral computerized tomography (CT) is recommended before lumbar puncture (LP) if mental impairment. Despite guideline emphasis on early treatment, performing CT prior to LP implies a risk of delayed treatment and unfavorable outcome. Therefore, Swedish guidelines were revised in 2009, deleting impaired mental status as a contraindication for LP without prior CT scan. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the guideline revision. The Swedish quality registry for community-acquired ABM was analyzed retrospectively. Door-to-antibiotic time and outcome were compared among patients treated 2005-2009 (n=394) and 2010-2012 (n=318). The effect of different LP-CT sequences was analyzed during 2008-2012. Adequate treatment was started 1.2 hours earlier, and significantly more patients were treated <2 hours from admission 2010-2012 than 2005-2009. Compared with CT before LP, immediate LP resulted in 1.6 hours earlier treatment, significant increase in door-to-antibiotic times of <1 and <2 hours, and a favorable outcome. In 2010-2012, mortality was lower (6.9% vs 11.7%) and the risk of sequelae at follow-up decreased (38% vs 49%) in comparison with 2005-2009. Treatment delay resulted in a significantly increased risk for fatal outcome, with a relative increase in mortality of 12.6% per hour of delay. The deletion of impaired mental status as contraindication for prompt LP and LP without prior CT scan are associated with significantly earlier treatment and a favorable outcome. A revision of current international guidelines should be considered.