Subacute Meningitis Research Articles

A Cluster of Neurobrucellosis at King Hussein Medical Center, Jordan - A Comprehensive Analysis And Review.

In this retrospective review, we describe the neurological clinical manifestations in five cases diagnosed with neurobrucellosis over two years between 2018 and 2020, and the application of different proposed criteria for establishing the diagnosis and treatment of neurobrucellosis. All cases were confirmed to have brucellosis with laboratory tests, and all were living in Jordan, which is considered part of a highly endemic area within the Middle East. The neurobrucellosis proposed criteria was applied, which requires signs and symptoms consistent with neurobrucellosis, presence of anti-Brucella antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid and serum with or without isolation of Brucella species in CSF and serum, cerebrospinal fluid analysis shows: lymphocytosis, high protein level, and low glucose level and radiological findings on MRI or CT. In all five cases, we have confirmed direct contact with animals or animal products either as a consumer or as a farmworker. Their signs and symptoms were consistent with brucellosis. In all cases, haematological and CSF results, in addition to imaging findings using magnetic resonance and computed tomography, were highly coherent with neurobrucellosis. Neurobrucellosis can present with different clinical manifestations, either as a sole site of infection like acute or subacute meningitis or myelitis, or in context of a multi variable systemic disease. In patients with unusual neurological clinical presentations, and those with persistent chronic symptoms like headache, malaise, or depression, neurobrucellosis should be highly suspected, especially in endemic areas. Such patients must have a prolonged course of antibiotics between 6 to 18 months with close monitoring of their serum and CSF examination

The diagnostic utility of the \u201cThwaites\u2019 system\u201d and \u201clancet consensus scoring system\u201d in tuberculous vs. non-tuberculous subacute and chronic meningitis: multicenter analysis of 395 adult patients

BackgroundTuberculous meningitis (TBM) represents a diagnostic and management challenge to clinicians. The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” are utilized to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis but their utility in subacute and chronic meningitis where TBM is an important consideration is unknown.MethodsA multicenter retrospective study of adults with subacute and chronic meningitis, defined by symptoms greater than 5 days and less than 30 days for subacute meningitis (SAM) and greater than 30 days for chronic meningitis (CM). The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” scores and the diagnostic accuracy by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of receiver operating curve (AUC-ROC) were calculated. The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” suggest a high probability of TBM with scores ≤4, and with scores of ≥12, respectively.ResultsA total of 395 patients were identified; 313 (79.2%) had subacute and 82 (20.8%) with chronic meningitis. Patients with chronic meningitis were more likely caused by tuberculosis and had higher rates of HIV infection (P < 0.001). A total of 162 patients with TBM and 233 patients with non-TBM had unknown (140, 60.1%), fungal (41, 17.6%), viral (29, 12.4%), miscellaneous (16, 6.7%), and bacterial (7, 3.0%) etiologies. TMB patients were older and presented with lower Glasgow coma scores, lower CSF glucose and higher CSF protein (P < 0.001). Both criteria were able to distinguish TBM from bacterial meningitis; only the Lancet score was able to differentiate TBM from fungal, viral, and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurred between the etiologies (P < .001). Both criteria showed poor diagnostic accuracy to distinguish TBM from non-TBM etiologies (AUC-ROC was <. 5), but Lancet consensus scoring system was fair in diagnosing TBM (AUC-ROC was .738), sensitivity of 50%, and specificity of 89.3%.ConclusionBoth criteria can be helpful in distinguishing TBM from bacterial meningitis, but only the Lancet consensus scoring system can help differentiate TBM from meningitis caused by fungal, viral and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurs and the overall diagnostic accuracy of both criteria were either poor or fair.

Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients: Correlation with the uniform case definition.

BackgroundLaboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) has always been problematic. Using the uniform case definition suggested by Marais et al., we determined the sensitivity of a variety of laboratory tests.MethodsHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–seropositive patients suspected of having subacute meningitis were included in the study. Using the uniform case definition, patients were divided into possible and probable cases of TBM. The following specific tests were done on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): layered Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) staining, CSF culture and a panel of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) consisting of the GenoType MTBDRplus assay, Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF, the MTB Q-PCR Alert (Q-PCR) and the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. The sensitivity of each test was compared to the case definition and to each other.ResultsA total of 68 patients were evaluated. Using the uniform case definition only, without any of the specific laboratory tests, there were 15 probable cases (scores > 12) and 53 possible cases (scores 6–11) of TBM. When the uniform case definition was tested against any laboratory test, 12 of the 15 (80%) probable cases and 26 of the 53 (49.1%) possible cases had laboratory confirmation. When each test was compared to any other test, the sensitivities for the Xpert MTB/RIF, GenoType MTBDRplus, CSF culture, Q-PCR, LAMP and ZN layering were 63.2 (46.0–78.2), 76.3 (59.8–88.6), 65.7 (47.8–80.9), 81.1 (64.8–92.0), 70.3 (53.0–84.1) and 55.6 (38.1–72.1), respectively.ConclusionIn this study, the GenoType MTBDRplus and the Q-PCR tests performed better than the Xpert MTB/RIF. Because the Xpert MTB/RIF is not good enough to ‘rule out’ TBM, a negative result should be followed up by another NAAT, such as the GenoType MTBDRplus or Q-PCR. The LAMP assay may be considered as the first test in resource-poor settings. At the time of the study, we did not have access to the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, which has now been recommended by the World Health Organization as the test of first choice. However, even this test has a similar limitation as the Xpert MTB/RIF, with two recent studies showing variable results.

Intracranial Mass Lesion Due to Fungal Infection: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Background: Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) usually present as subacute meningitis or intracranial space-occupying lesion with mass effect on surrounding structures and consequent focal neurological deficits. Intracranial fungal granulomas are often misdiagnosed clinically and radiologically as neoplastic lesions. Biopsy of the lesion is the only reliable technique to establish the correct diagnosis as well as to detect the causative fungal species. Voriconazole is a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal agent. It can be given orally and intravenously and has lesser adverse effects. Methods and Materials: In this article, we report a series of 6 cases of biopsy-proven fungal granuloma with varied clinical and radiological presentations who were given treatment with voriconazole for 6 months and demonstrated favorable response. Results: Out of 6 patients (4 males and 2 females), 1 was immunocompromised (DM with uncontrolled hyperglycemia). Headache was the most commonly observed symptom. Paranasal sinus and anterior cranial fossa were the most commonly affected site. Four patients received voriconazole therapy for 12 months and 1 received the same for 6 months before showing clinical resolution of disease. There was 1 death in the study group from non-related medical complications. Conclusion: Our series focuses on the correct diagnosis of fungal granuloma which can be achieved by biopsy and clinical evidence of the efficacy of voriconazole against intracranial fungal granuloma.

Clinical Presentations and Factors Associated with in-Hospital Mortality of Patients Diagnosed with Subacute and Chronic Infectious Meningitis in A Mexican Hospital

Clinical Presentations and Factors Associated with in-Hospital Mortality of Patients Diagnosed with Subacute and Chronic Infectious Meningitis in A Mexican Hospital

Xpert MTB/Rif Ultra for the Diagnosis of HIV-Associated Tuberculous Meningitis: A Prospective Validation

Introduction: Tuberculous meningitis accounts for 1-5% of tuberculosis (TB) cases. Diagnostic delay contributes to poor outcomes. We evaluated the performance of the new Xpert MTB/Rif Ultra (Ultra) for TB meningitis diagnosis. Methods: In a prospective diagnostic accuracy study, we tested the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of adults presenting with sub-acute meningitis to Mulago and Mbarara Hospitals, Uganda. We centrifuged the CSF, resuspended the cell pellet in 2mL CSF and tested 0.5ml aliquots with Ultra, Xpert, and mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) culture. We quantified diagnostic performance against 1) the uniform case definition of probable or definite TB meningitis and 2) a composite microbiological reference standard. Findings: From November 2016 to January 2019, we screened 466 adults with suspected meningitis and tested 204 for TB meningitis. Uniform clinical case definition classified 51 participants as probable/definite TB meningitis. Against this uniform case definition, Ultra had 76% sensitivity (39/51) compared with Xpert 56% (25/45; P=0·001) or culture 61% (27/44; P=0·02). Against the composite reference standard, Ultra had sensitivity of 93% (39/42), higher than Xpert at 66% (25/38; p=0·006) or culture at 72% (27/37; p=0·09). Ultra detected nine TB meningitis cases missed by Xpert and culture. In multivariate analysis, decreasing CSF glucose was a predictor of definite TB meningitis (P=0.001). Interpretation: Ultra detects TB meningitis with higher sensitivity than Xpert and culture in this HIV-positive population. However, with a negative predictive value of 93% Ultra cannot be used as a 'rule out' test. Clinical judgement and novel highly sensitive point of care tests are still required. Funding Statement: This research was made possible through support from the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (R01NS086312), the Fogarty International Center (K01TW010268, K43TW010718), and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (T32AI055433). Declaration of Interests: FVC is supported through a Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD Fellowship (Grant no. 210772/Z/18/Z). FVC is an honorary fellow of the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute Centre of Excellence for Infection and Immunity Research and Training (MUII-plus). MUII-plus is supported through the DELTAS Africa Initiative (Grant no. 107743). The DELTAS Africa Initiative is an independent funding scheme of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) and supported by the New Partnership for Africa's Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) with funding from the Wellcome Trust (Grant no. 107743) and the UK Government. The MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit is jointly funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) under the MRC/DFID Concordat agreement and is also part of the EDCTP2 programme supported by the European Union. All other authors have nothing to disclose. Ethics Approval Statement: Institutional review board and Uganda National Council of Science and Technology approvals were obtained and informed consent was obtained from participants or their surrogate (in patients with altered mental status). The study was conducted in line with the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies.

Invasive fungal infection by Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii with bone marrow and meningeal involvement in a HIV-infected patient: a case report

BackgroundCryptococcosis is a common opportunistic infection in patients infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and is the second leading cause of mortality in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients worldwide. The most frequent presentation of cryptococcal infection is subacute meningitis, especially in patients with a CD4+ T Lymphocytes count below 100 cells/μL. However, in severely immunosuppressed individuals Cryptococcus neoformans can infect virtually any human organ, including the bone marrow, which is a rare presentation of cryptococcosis.Case presentationA 45-year-old HIV-infected male patient with a CD4+ T lymphocyte count of 26 cells/μL who presented to the emergency department with fever and pancytopenia. Throughout the diagnostic evaluation, the bone marrow aspirate culture yielded encapsulated yeasts in budding, identified as Cryptococcus sp. The bone marrow biopsy revealed a hypocellularity for age and absence of fibrosis. It was observed presence of loosely formed granuloma composed of multinucleated giant cells encompassing rounded yeast like organisms stained with mucicarmine, compatible with Cryptococcus sp. Then, the patient underwent a lumbar puncture to investigate meningitis, although he had no neurological symptoms and neurological examination was normal. The cerebrospinal fluid culture yielded Cryptococcus sp. The species and genotype identification step showed the infection was caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (genotype VNI). The patient was initially treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate plus fluconazole for disseminated cryptococcosis, according to guideline recommendations. However, the patient developed acute kidney injury and the treatment was switched for fluconazole monotherapy. The symptoms disappeared completely with recovery of white blood cells and platelets counts. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures for fungi at one and two-weeks of treatment were negative.ConclusionsBone marrow infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans is a rare presentation of cryptococcosis. The cryptococcal infection should be included for differential diagnosis in HIV-infected patients with fever and cytopenias, especially when CD4+ T lymphocytes count is below 100 cells/μL.

64-Year-Old Man With Subacute Altered Mental Status and Headache

64-Year-Old Man With Subacute Altered Mental Status and Headache

Chronic Meningitis.

This article describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach (including the use of novel diagnostic platforms), and treatment of select infectious and noninfectious etiologies of chronic meningitis. Identification of the etiology of chronic meningitis remains challenging, with no cause identified in at least one-third of cases. Often, several serologic, CSF, and neuroimaging studies are indicated, although novel diagnostic platforms including metagenomic deep sequencing may hold promise for identifying organisms. Infectious etiologies are more common in those at risk for disseminated disease, specifically those who are immunocompromised because of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), transplantation, or immunosuppressant medications. An important step in identifying the etiology of chronic meningitis is assembling a multidisciplinary team of individuals, including those with specialized expertise in ophthalmology, dermatology, rheumatology, and infectious diseases, to provide guidance regarding diagnostic procedures. Chronic meningitis is defined as inflammation involving the meninges that lasts at least 4 weeks and is associated with a CSF pleocytosis. Chronic meningitis has numerous possible infectious and noninfectious etiologies, making it challenging to definitively diagnose patients. Therefore, a multifaceted approach that combines history, physical examination, neuroimaging, and laboratory analysis, including novel diagnostic platforms, is needed. This article focuses on key aspects of the evaluation of and approach to patients with chronic meningitis. Specific infectious etiologies and differential diagnoses of subacute and chronic meningitis, including noninfectious etiologies, are addressed.

Evidence of rickettsiae in Danish patients tested for Lyme neuroborreliosis: a retrospective study of archival samples

BackgroundWith a prevalence of 4.7–13% in Danish Ixodes ricinus ticks, Rickettsia helvetica is one of the most frequently detected tick-borne organisms in Denmark. Most reports of human exposure have described asymptomatic seroconversion or a mild, self-limiting flu-like illness but it has also been implicated as a cause of subacute lymphocytic meningitis. Because Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) and R. helvetica are both found in the same tick species, potential co-transmission is a possibility. We examined 1) the seroprevalence of anti-rickettsia antibodies in patients investigated for Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), and 2) the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera of same patients for the presence of Rickettsia DNA.MethodsNinety-nine sera and 87 CSF samples from patients with intrathecal synthesis of anti-Borrelia antibodies and 101 sera and 103 CSF samples from patients with no detectable intrathecal synthesis were retrospectively examined for this study. Sera were analyzed for antibodies against spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae and both the CSF and sera were tested for Rickettsia DNA using a genus-specific real-time PCR.ResultsOf the patients tested for LNB, 32% (64/200) had IgG antibodies against SFG rickettsiae. Among patients with confirmed intrathecal synthesis of Borrelia-specific antibodies, 38% (38/99) exhibited IgG antibodies. None of these values were statistically significant when compared with sera from healthy blood donors (p = 0.7 and 0.19). Rickettsia DNA was found in the CSF of 4% (8/190) of patients.ConclusionNo statistically significant difference was found in the seroprevalence of anti-rickettsia antibodies in patients tested for LNB and healthy blood donors, indicative of a low rate of exposure in this group of patients. Eight patients showed evidence of Rickettsia DNA in the CSF, five of whom had LNB. However, cycle threshold (Ct) values were high, indicating low concentrations of DNA, and no apparent alteration in the clinical manifestations of LNB were noted in the medical records of these patients.

Chronic and Subacute Meningitis: Differentiating Neoplastic From Non-Neoplastic Etiologies.

Although incidence rates vary, infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases can all cause chronic and subacute meningitis (CSM). We report a Latin-American, single center, CSM case series, analyzing the main clinical characteristics as well as ancillary diagnostic methods differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic etiologies. Retrospective review of CSM cases from a single center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Seventy patients with CSM diagnosis were identified, 49 with neoplastic and 21 with non-neoplastic meningitis. A history of previous cancer was significantly higher in neoplastic cases, whereas prevalence of autoimmune disease and fever was more common in non-neoplastic meningitis. C-reactive protein values were higher in non-neoplastic CSM, as was pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The most frequent etiologies were breast and lung cancer for neoplastic meningitis cases; and idiopathic, tuberculous, and fungal infection for non-neoplastic cases. Chronic and subacute meningitis diagnosis is challenging in daily neurological practice. The results we report contribute information from Latin America regarding etiologies of CSM, which can be identified after a comprehensive evaluation in a majority of cases.

Chronic Meningitis Investigated via Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing

Identifying infectious causes of subacute or chronic meningitis can be challenging. Enhanced, unbiased diagnostic approaches are needed. To present a case series of patients with diagnostically challenging subacute or chronic meningitis using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) supported by a statistical framework generated from mNGS of control samples from the environment and from patients who were noninfectious. In this case series, mNGS data obtained from the CSF of 94 patients with noninfectious neuroinflammatory disorders and from 24 water and reagent control samples were used to develop and implement a weighted scoring metric based on z scores at the species and genus levels for both nucleotide and protein alignments to prioritize and rank the mNGS results. Total RNA was extracted for mNGS from the CSF of 7 participants with subacute or chronic meningitis who were recruited between September 2013 and March 2017 as part of a multicenter study of mNGS pathogen discovery among patients with suspected neuroinflammatory conditions. The neurologic infections identified by mNGS in these 7 participants represented a diverse array of pathogens. The patients were referred from the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (n = 2), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (n = 2), Cleveland Clinic (n = 1), University of Washington (n = 1), and Kaiser Permanente (n = 1). A weighted z score was used to filter out environmental contaminants and facilitate efficient data triage and analysis. Pathogens identified by mNGS and the ability of a statistical model to prioritize, rank, and simplify mNGS results. The 7 participants ranged in age from 10 to 55 years, and 3 (43%) were female. A parasitic worm (Taenia solium, in 2 participants), a virus (HIV-1), and 4 fungi (Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus oryzae, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Candida dubliniensis) were identified among the 7 participants by using mNGS. Evaluating mNGS data with a weighted z score-based scoring algorithm reduced the reported microbial taxa by a mean of 87% (range, 41%-99%) when taxa with a combined score of 0 or less were removed, effectively separating bona fide pathogen sequences from spurious environmental sequences so that, in each case, the causative pathogen was found within the top 2 scoring microbes identified using the algorithm. Diverse microbial pathogens were identified by mNGS in the CSF of patients with diagnostically challenging subacute or chronic meningitis, including a case of subarachnoid neurocysticercosis that defied diagnosis for 1 year, the first reported case of CNS vasculitis caused by Aspergillus oryzae, and the fourth reported case of C dubliniensis meningitis. Prioritizing metagenomic data with a scoring algorithm greatly clarified data interpretation and highlighted the problem of attributing biological significance to organisms present in control samples used for metagenomic sequencing studies.

CRYPTOCOCCAL ANTIGENEMIA IN HIV/AIDS PATIENTS USING LATERAL FLOW IMMUNOASSAY DETECTION AT Dr. SOETOMO GENERAL HOSPITAL SURABAYA

Cryptococcus infection in HIV / AIDS patients results in cryptococcal meningitis, a major cause of subacute meningitis with 100% mortality if not receiving appropriate antifungal therapy. An examination of cryptococcal antigen will provide risk information for patients who will experience cryptococcal meningitis. Better diagnosis in asymptomatic and symptomatic phases of cryptococcosis are key components to reduce morbidity and mortality. This study aims to determine the proportion of cryptococcal antigenemia in HIV / AIDS patients treated at Intermediate Treatment-Infectious Diseases Unit of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya. Cryptococcal antigenemia was examined in HIV / AIDS patients with suspected Cryptococcus infection and CD4+ T cell lymphocyte count &lt;200 cell /μl. The examination used a lateral flow assay diagnostic tool, a simple FDA(Food and Drug Administration)-approved immunochromatographic test system for detection of capsular polysccharide antigens of Cryptococcus species complex (Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii) in blood. This test meets all of the World Health Organization ASSURED criteria (affordable, sensitive, specific, user friendly, rapid/robust, equipment-free, and delivered). Sensitivity and specifiticy of this method from serum are both 100%. There were 3 positive cryptococcal antigenemia from 41 serum HIV / AIDS patients with suspected cryptococcus infection at Intermediate Treatment- Infectious Diseases Unit of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya. All of these patients were male aged over 36 years, had CD4+ T cell lymphocytes &lt;100 cell /μl and had never received antiretroviral therapy before. The proportion of cryptococcal antigenemia in HIV / AIDS patients with suspected Cryptococcus infection at Intermediate Treatment-Infectious Diseases Unit of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya was 7.32%.

Pitfalls Associated With the Use of Molecular Diagnostic Panels in the Diagnosis of Cryptococcal Meningitis.

We report the case of a kidney transplantation patient on chronic immunosuppressive therapy presenting with subacute meningitis. The final diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was delayed due to 2 false-negative cryptococcal results on a molecular diagnostic panel. Caution with such platforms in suspected cryptococcal meningitis is needed.

Chronic and subacute meningitis: differentiating between neoplastic and non- neoplastic etiologies (P6.199)

Chronic and subacute meningitis: differentiating between neoplastic and non- neoplastic etiologies (P6.199)

The Diagnostic Utility of the Lancet and Thwaites Criteria in Subacute Meningitis

The Diagnostic Utility of the Lancet and Thwaites Criteria in Subacute Meningitis

26-Year-Old Man With Nausea, Delirium, and Fever

Resident in Internal Medicine, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, MN (H.L.T.); Advisor to resident and Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (L.M.B.). A 26-year-old-man who had been living in Indonesia until 4 months previously presented to our hospital for evaluation of fever, agitation, and altered mental status. He had been seen previously at another facility for vague abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. He had become subacutely agitated and was transferred to our institution because of altered mental status and vomiting. On admission, he was febrile (temperature, 39.3 C) and tachycardic (heart rate, 118 beats/ min); his blood pressure was 134/96 mm Hg, and his oxygen saturation was 100% while breathing room air. Physical examination findings were notable for intermittent altered mental status with restlessness, agitation, inattention, and pain with neck flexion and posterior neck palpation. Findings on work-up at the outside facility included a sodium level of 118 mmol/L and no abnormalities detected on head computed tomography (CT) and chest radiography. His pupils were mildly constricted but responded to light. Admission laboratory studies yielded a normal white blood cell count of 10.1 10/L and an improved sodium concentration of 133 mmol/L.

A case of tuberculous meningitis

In Canada, meningitis is a rare manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Additionally, a microbiological diagnosis can be difficult because of low sensitivity of mycobacterial tests of cerebrospinal fluid specimens. The typical presentation of meningitis is in the form of subacute meningitis, which is life threatening in the absence of appropriate treatment. Therefore, a high index of suspicion must be maintained. We report a case of tuberculous meningitis highlighting the presentation, workup, and treatment of this serious infection. This report highlights the challenges in identifying cases and establishing a timely diagnosis. Close monitoring of the patient and collecting multiple cerebrospinal fluid samples can improve sensitivity.

Hepatocyte growth factor in cerebrospinal fluid differentiates community-acquired or nosocomial septic meningitis from other causes of pleocytosis.

BackgroundDue to anatomical restrictions, the inflammatory response to intracerebral bacterial infections exposes swollen brain tissues to pressure and ischemia, resulting in life-threatening damage. Rapid diagnosis and immediate empirical antibiotic therapy is highly important. However, diagnosing meningitis in patients after neurosurgery is complicated, due to brain tissue damage and changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) caused by surgery. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a local, acute-phase protein with healing properties. Previous studies on community-acquired septic meningitis reported high levels of intrathecally produced HGF. The present study focused on nosocomial meningitis in assessing the levels of HGF in the CSF.MethodsHGF concentrations (ELISA) and HGF binding to receptors; c-Met receptor and heparan sulfate proteoglycan were determined in CSF samples (surface plasmon resonance). CSF samples from patients with community-acquired or nosocomial meningitis (217 samples from 135 patients) were compared to those from controls without signs of cerebral nervous system involvement (N = 36) and patients with Alzheimer’s disease (N = 20).ResultsCompared to samples from patients that had undergone neurosurgery and had other infectious diseases, CSF samples from patients with nosocomial meningitis had significantly higher HGF concentrations (p < 0.001) and binding affinity to c-Met (p < 0.001) and HSPG (p = 0.043) receptors. The sensitivity and specificity to identify nosocomial septic meningitis were 69.7 and 93.4 %, respectively. The HGF concentration and binding affinity to HGF receptors were significantly higher in CSF from patients with community-acquired septic meningitis compared to patients with aseptic (viral and subacute) meningitis as well as controls (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity to identify community-acquired septic meningitis were 95.4 and 95.7 %, respectively.DiscussionIn febrile nosocomial infections that occurred post neurosurgery, HGF assessment could substantially improve the differentiation of meningitis from other infections and therefore might be a tool for rapid diagnosis, limiting injuries and guiding antibiotic therapy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12987-015-0020-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A Case of Cryptococcal Meningitis in Hiv positive patient in A tertiary care hospital in Kancheepurum district, Tamilnadu, India

Cryptococcal meningitis has been reported in recent years as major life threatening opportunistic infection associated with HIV with a leading cause of mortality ranging from 7 – 15 % around the world & 6% in United States of America. Approximately 25 – 30 % overall mortality rate is encountered in patients suffering from Cyrptococcal meningitis. Among the survivors 40% have significant neurological disorders like loss of vision, decreased mental function, hydrocephalus, cranial nerve palsies with relapse occurring in 25% of cases. It frequently presents as subacute meningitis and is a sporadic infection that affects both immunosuppressed patients (50%) and nonimmunosuppressed patients. This is the first case of cryptococcal meningitis reported in our Hospital in a HIV positive patient reported in our area – Rathinamangalam – Kancheepuram district – during a span of 2 years case study 2013 to 2014.