Bacterial meningitis--ten years experience

Global Case Fatality of Bacterial Meningitis During an 80-Year Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

The impact of vaccination, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory treatment on pathogen distribution and outcome of bacterial meningitis over the past century is uncertain.

Objective

To describe worldwide pathogen distribution and case fatality ratios of community-acquired bacterial meningitis.

Data Sources

Google Scholar and MEDLINE were searched in January 2022 using the search terms bacterial meningitis and mortality.

Study Selection

Included studies reported at least 10 patients with bacterial meningitis and survival status. Studies that selected participants by a specific risk factor, had a mean observation period before 1940, or had more than 10% of patients with health care-associated meningitis, tuberculous meningitis, or missing outcome were excluded.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data were extracted by 1 author and verified by a second author. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Random-effects models stratified by age (ie, neonates, children, adults), Human Development Index (ie, low-income or high-income countries), and decade and meta-regression using the study period's year as an estimator variable were used.

Main Outcome and Measure

Case fatality ratios of bacterial meningitis.

Results

This review included 371 studies performed in 108 countries from January 1, 1935, to December 31, 2019, describing 157 656 episodes. Of the 33 295 episodes for which the patients' sex was reported, 13 452 (40%) occurred in females. Causative pathogens were reported in 104 598 episodes with Neisseria meningitidis in 26 344 (25%) episodes, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 26 035 (25%) episodes, Haemophilus influenzae in 22 722 (22%), other bacteria in 19 161 (18%) episodes, and unidentified pathogen in 10 336 (10%) episodes. The overall case fatality ratio was 18% (95% CI, 16%-19%), decreasing from 32% (95% CI, 24%-40%) before 1961 to 15% (95% CI, 12%-19%) after 2010. It was highest in meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes at 27% (95% CI, 24%-31%) and pneumococci at 24% (95% CI, 22%-26%), compared with meningitis caused by meningococci at 9% (95% CI, 8%-10%) or H influenzae at 11% (95% CI, 10%-13%). Meta-regression showed decreasing case fatality ratios overall and stratified by S pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, or Streptococcus agalactiae (P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this meta-analysis with meta-regression, declining case fatality ratios of community-acquired bacterial meningitis throughout the last century were observed, but a high burden of disease remained.

Unusual case of spinal subdural empyema with ventriculitis managed conservatively with lumbar drain

It has long been believed that spinal subdural empyemas (SDEs) with neurological symptoms result in death if operative intervention is not performed. We present a case of addressing an extensive spinal SDE with a minimally invasive procedure: a bedside lumbar drain. Our patient is a 67-year-old man with medical history significant for type I diabetes who presented 2 weeks after a right shoulder steroid injection with septic arthritis. An MRI was obtained for back pain which revealed spinal SDE from the cervical to lumbosacral spine. Given patient's acute sepsis, haemodynamic instability, and extent of empyema, we placed a lumbar drain for decompression. The patient had a prolonged complicated hospital course. Imaging 2 months later revealed interval decrease in the spinal SDE. Although this severe septic event left the patient with significant deficits, he was able to return to ambulation without surgical intervention.

Circulating innate and adaptive immunity against anti-Haemophilus influenzae type b

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) are one of most dangerous microbes that occupies the paediatric nasopharyngeal as a commensal opportunistic bacterium, which may lead to meningitis in uncontrolled infection. Colonisation of pharyngeal tissues is the starting point for most H. influenzae infections, which may develop into invasive diseases, such meningitis. The vaccination against Hib in specific, as well as against most of vaccines preventable diseases; in general, play a major role in reducing children (< 5 years old) Hib meningitis from 57/100,000 to the lowest known Hib meningitis incidents in the history. First invented Hib vaccine was licensed in 1985 and contained Hib capsular polysaccharide (CPS); afterward, conjugate vaccines have been innovated and licensed on the road to improve Hib vaccine efficacy. Polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) is the main vaccine unite structure. Since anti-CPS antibodies in the serum reflect the extent of the acquired immunity against Hib infections, the concentration of ⩾ 0.15 g/ml of anti-CPS is believed to be an indicator for short-term protection from invasive Hib diseases, whereas one-month post-completion of primary Hib immunization concentration of ⩾ 1.0 g/ml is trusted to be immunological protective. As considered that serum anti-CPS antibodies are effectively linked to protection, the evaluation of antibodies concentration and reconsideration of published worldwide populations antibodies concentration are consider vital strides on the way to accurate valuation of Hib immunity that induced by vaccination; either direct or herd. As documented, some populations; worldwide, still susceptible to invasive Hib infections. Several populations worldwide remain vulnerable to Hib-related infections. We believe that up-to-date review article regarding circulated Hib immunology, represented in anti-Hib antibodies and worldwide Hib incidences will provide a precious information for microbiologists, public health officials, epidemiologists, immunologists, and strategic preventive healthcare executives.

Etiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns of acute bacterial meningitis in children: a 10-year referral hospital-based study in northwest iran

Background:

Bacterial meningitis is still considered as one of the most dangerous infectious diseases, which causes numerous complications and high mortality if not diagnosed and treated timely.

Objectives:

This study was performed to determine antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from acute bacterial meningitis at Tabriz Children Educational-Health Care Center in Iran.

Patients and Methods:

In a retrospective study (from 2003 through 2013), all patients with bacterial meningitis were identified by cerebrospinal fluids with positive results in culture (107 cases). Patients' necessary data was recorded in a questionnaire. Furthermore, the results of simultaneous blood culture were also examined. Ultimately, antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was determined using the disc diffusion method.

Results:

One hundred and seven patients with bacterial meningitis were identified by cerebrospinal fluids with positive results in culture. All of patients (100%) had fever (male/female = 1.27/1). The most prevalent pathogens isolated from CSF culture were Streptococcus pneumoniae (34.5%), Haemophilus influenzae type b (23.36%), Neisseria meningitidis (6.54%), Serratia spp. (6.54%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.6%), respectively. Moreover, the patients' blood culture had positive results in 36.44% of cases with H. influenzae type b (20.65%) and S. pneumoniae (6.54%) as the main bacteria isolated from blood. Meningitis occurred mostly in children under two years (P = 0.001). According to antimicrobial susceptibility test, a relatively high resistance was reported against some conventional cephalosporins and other antibiotics.

Conclusions:

S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b were the main pathogens of bacterial meningitis in children in the area under study. Most species had relatively high resistance to conventional antibiotics as compared to the past.

Global and regional risk of disabling sequelae from bacterial meningitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Few data sources are available to assess the global and regional risk of sequelae from bacterial meningitis. We aimed to estimate the risks of major and minor sequelae caused by bacterial meningitis, estimate the distribution of the different types of sequelae, and compare risk by region and income. We systematically reviewed published papers from 1980 to 2008. Standard global burden of disease categories (cognitive deficit, bilateral hearing loss, motor deficit, seizures, visual impairment, hydrocephalus) were labelled as major sequelae. Less severe, minor sequelae (behavioural problems, learning difficulties, unilateral hearing loss, hypotonia, diplopia), and multiple impairments were also included. 132 papers were selected for inclusion. The median (IQR) risk of at least one major or minor sequela after hospital discharge was 19.9% (12.3-35.3%). The risk of at least one major sequela was 12.8% (7.2-21.1%) and of at least one minor sequela was 8.6% (4.4-15.3%). The median (IQR) risk of at least one major sequela was 24.7% (16.2-35.3%) in pneumococcal meningitis; 9.5% (7.1-15.3%) in Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and 7.2% (4.3-11.2%) in meningococcal meningitis. The most common major sequela was hearing loss (33.9%), and 19.7% had multiple impairments. In the random-effects meta-analysis, all-cause risk of a major sequela was twice as high in the African (pooled risk estimate 25.1% [95% CI 18.9-32.0%]) and southeast Asian regions (21.6% [95% CI 13.1-31.5%]) as in the European region (9.4% [95% CI 7.0-12.3%]; overall I(2)=89.5%, p<0.0001). Risks of long-term disabling sequelae were highest in low-income countries, where the burden of bacterial meningitis is greatest. Most reported sequelae could have been averted by vaccination with Hib, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines.

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in an immunocompetent adult patient

OBJECTIVE

To report an interesting case of meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an immunocompetent adult.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A previously healthy 25-year-old man presented with typical clinical features of meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained on the day of admission for biochemical and microbiological investigations. In addition, blood was also taken for culture and hematological studies. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the Etest method. Microscopic examination of the CSF showed pleocytosis, which was predominantly lymphocytic, while the biochemical investigation revealed raised concentrations of protein and lactic acid as well as decreased glucose concentration. A 24-hour culture yielded pure growth of gram-positive bacilli identified by standard methods as L. monocytogenes. It was susceptible to ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The patient was treated with intravenous ampicillin combined with gentamicin and made a complete recovery.

CONCLUSION

This presentation describes an unusual case of meningitis caused by L. monocytogenes in a previously healthy young adult with no risk factor. Only a few similar cases have been reported in the literature.

Etiology of bacterial meningitis among children aged 2-59 months in Salvador, Northeast Brazil, before and after routine use of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine

OBJECTIVE

To describe the frequency of etiologic agents of bacterial meningitis (BM) among children aged 2-59 months in a sample of patients in Salvador, Northeast Brazil, with emphasis on the frequency of BM of unknown etiology (BMUE), just before, during and after the implementation of routine immunization of infants with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination.

METHOD

Demographic, clinical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) information was collected from the chart of every patient, aged 2-59 months, whose CSF exam was performed at the CSF Lab - José Silveira Foundation, between January 1989 and December 2001. Every CSF exam was completely performed according to standard methods. The etiologic diagnosis was based on either culture and/or latex-agglutination test. When the agent was only seen on Gram stained smear, the diagnosis was descriptive. BMUE was defined as: glucose < 40mg / dl, protein > 100 mg / dl, white blood cell count > 20 cells / mm(3), percentage of neutrophils > 80%.

RESULTS

Of 1519 patients, 894 (58.9%) had normal exams and BM was diagnosed in 95 (6.2%). Etiologic agents were: Hib (44.2%), meningococcus (13.7%), Gram-negative bacilli (11.6%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (6.3%), pneumococcus (4.2%), other agents (4.2%); BMUE was diagnosed in 15.8% of cases with BM. By analysing the frequency of BMUE and Hib among all exams performed yearly, the peaks were recorded in 1989 (5.3%) and 1990 (16.9%), respectively, decreasing to 0.7% and 0% in 2001.

CONCLUSION

It is possible that the implementation of the conjugate Hib vaccine during the 1990's has been decreasing not only the occurrence of Hib meningitis but also of BMUE.

The changing epidemiology of bacterial meningitis and invasive non-meningitic bacterial disease in scotland during the period 1983-99

We reviewed population-based laboratory reports of invasive meningococcal, pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenzae, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Listeria monocytogenes isolates in order to examine the changing epidemiology of meningitis and invasive non-meningitic disease (INMD) caused by these 5 pathogens in the 2 periods before (1983-91) and after (1992-99) routine use of H. influenzae type B conjugate vaccine (Hib) in Scotland. Neissieria meningitidis was the most common cause of meningitis, accounting for 39.2% of cases of meningitis in 1983-91 and 47% of cases in 1992-99, followed by H. influenzae (31%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.4%), GBS (3.9%) and L. monocytogenes (3.5%) in 1983-91 and S. pneumoniae (36.3%), H. influenzae (7.8%), GBS (6.1%) and L. monocytogenes (2.8%) in 1992-99. The important epidemiological features of meningitis and INMD caused by these 5 pathogens between 1983-91 and 1992-99 include: 1. The incidence of bacterial meningitis due to S. pneumoniae and GBS was stable; 2. S. pneumoniae was the predominant cause of INMD in both periods; 3. The incidences of INMD caused by N. meningitidis, GBS and S. pneumoniae increased, by 27%, 55% and 56%, respectively; 4. Decreases in the incidences of bacterial meningitis (by 50%) and INMD (by 50%) due to L. monocytogenes were detected; and 5. There were dramatic reductions in the proportions of bacterial meningitis (by 92%) and INMD (by 56%) due to H. influenzae in vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals. Continued surveillance is necessary to monitor the disease trend, population at risk, serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility in order to implement appropriate public health interventions against invasive bacterial disease.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults: categorization of causes and timing of death

The relationship between cause and timing of death in 294 adults who had been hospitalized with community-acquired bacterial meningitis was investigated. For 74 patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis who died during hospitalization, the underlying and immediate causes of death were identified according to the criteria of the World Health Organization and National Center for Health Statistics. Patients were classified into 3 groups: category I, in which meningitis was the underlying and immediate cause of death (59% of patients; median duration of survival, 5 days); category II, in which meningitis was the underlying but not immediate cause of death (18%; median duration of survival, 10 days); and category III, in which meningitis was neither the underlying nor immediate cause of death (23%; median duration of survival, 32 days). In a substantial proportion of adults hospitalized with community-acquired bacterial meningitis, meningitis was neither the immediate nor the underlying cause of death. A 14-day survival end point discriminated between deaths attributable to meningitis and those with another cause.

Utility of prognostic stratification in adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis

Prognostic stratification uses baseline clinical features to subdivide patients into subgroups with different risks for a particular outcome. We review the importance of prognostic stratification in internal medicine, in infectious diseases, and in adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis.

[Details of meningitis in the elderly]

PURPOSE

Elderly patients being more at risk for infections than younger people, this study was aimed at defining the epidemiological and clinical features of meningitis in this population, with the objective of improving diagnosis and management.

METHODS

Over a period of 10 years, all cases admitted to an infectious diseases unit for acute meningitis were reviewed. Patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), fungi meningitis, and who were younger than 15 years of age were excluded from the study. According to age, two groups were constituted (group A: < 65 years and group B: > or = 65 years) and compared.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-two patients were included in the study: 110 (72.4%) in group A (29 with bacterial and 81 with viral meningitis) and 42 (26.7%) in group B (32 with bacterial and ten with viral meningitis); the mean age was, respectively, 32.7 +/- 12.9 years (range: 15-61 years) and 75.9 +/- 7.6 years (range: 65-94 years). Diagnosis was less frequently evoked in the elderly (n = 11; 26%) than in younger patients (n = 78; 71%) (P < 0.001). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, and herpes simplex virus were the three most common causal agents in group B. Confusion was the most common symptom among the elderly (88 vs. 17%; P < 0.001). The mortality rate was more important in group B than in group A (11.9 vs. 2.7%; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of acute meningitis is difficult and must be evoked in the presence of any new neurologic sign. Cranial computerized tomography should not delay lumbar puncture, except in the presence of focal neurologic symptoms. Antimicrobial therapy takes into account the bacterial epidemiology.

Central nervous system infection with Listeria monocytogenes. 33 years' experience at a general hospital and review of 776 episodes from the literature

We reviewed 776 previously reported and 44 new cases of CNS listeriosis outside of pregnancy and the neonatal period, and evaluated the epidemiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of this infection. Among patients with Listeria meningitis/meningoencephalitis, hematologic malignancy and kidney transplantation were the leading predisposing factors, but 36% of patients had no underlying diseases recognized. The infection occurred throughout life, with a higher incidence before the age of 3 and after the age of 45-50 years. Fever, altered sensorium, and headache were the most common symptoms, but 42% of patients had no meningeal signs on admission. Compared with patients with acute meningitis due to other bacterial pathogens, patients with Listeria infection had a significantly lower incidence of meningeal signs, and the CSF profile was significantly less likely to have a high WBC count or a high protein concentration. Gram stain of CSF was negative in two-thirds of cases of CNS listeriosis. One-third of patients had focal neurologic findings, and approximately one-fourth developed seizures over their course. Mortality was 26% overall, and was higher among patients with seizures and those older than 65 years of age. Relapse occurred in 7% of episodes. Ampicillin for a minimum of 15-21 days (with an aminoglycoside for at least the first 7-10 days) remains the treatment of choice. Cerebritis/abscess due to L. monocytogenes, without meningeal involvement, is less common but may be diagnosed by blood cultures and CNS imaging, or by stereotactic biopsy. Longer antibiotic therapy (at least 5-6 weeks) is needed in the presence of localized CNS involvement.

Randomized comparison of meropenem with cefotaxime for treatment of bacterial meningitis. Meropenem Meningitis Study Group

Broad-spectrum cephalosporins are drugs of choice for the treatment of meningitis in communities which can afford them. The emergence of cephalosporin-resistant pneumococci demands the clinical trial of alternate agents. Carbapenems are active against the bacteria causing meningitis, but the use of imipenem-cilastatin was frustrated by drug-associated seizures. The safety and efficacy of meropenem, a new carbapenem, were compared to those of cefotaxime in a prospective randomized trial of 190 children with bacterial meningitis. Seizures occurred within 24 h before antibiotic therapy in 16 of 98 patients (16%) randomized to receive meropenem and in 6 of 92 patients (7%) randomized to receive cefotaxime. In patients without seizures before therapy, seizures occurred during therapy in 5 of 82 patients (6%) receiving meropenem and in 1 of 86 patients (1%) receiving cefotaxime (95% confidence interval: -0.7%, 10.6%). None were thought to be drug related. Twenty-four meropenem-treated patients (24%) and 11 cefotaxime-treated patients (12%) had neurological abnormalities before therapy. In patients without pretherapy neurological abnormalities, these abnormalities were present after treatment in 4 of 74 meropenem-treated patients (5%) and in 2 of 81 cefotaxime-treated patients (2%) (95% confidence interval: -3.2%, 9.1%). Of 75 meropenem-treated and 64 cefotaxime-treated patients with pretherapy positive cerebrospinal-fluid cultures, 68 and 59, respectively, had repeat lumbar punctures. Bacterial eradication was found to be 100% in both groups. Our data suggest that meropenem may be a carbapenem agent that is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of bacterial meningitis.

A review of the clinical presentation, laboratory features, antimicrobial therapy and outcome of 77 episodes of pneumococcal meningitis occurring in children and adults

Seventy-seven episodes of pneumococcal meningitis in 69 patients were reviewed. Twelve (15.6%) episodes occurred in those over 60 years old, 14 (18.2%) in patients between 10 and 60 years, 22 (28.6%) in patients between 2 and 10 years and 29 (37.7%) in those under 2 years. Overall mortality was 13.0% (10/77) and age of > 60 years was significantly associated with mortality (P < 0.05). Twelve episodes resulted in disabilities, eight of which were in those under 2 years, and took the form of hearing impairment in nine. Many patients had predisposing conditions with aural pathology, malignancy and diabetes mellitus being commonest in those over 10 years of age and aural pathology, preceding viral infection, renal disease, sinusitis or recent lower respiratory tract infection commonest in those aged between 2 and 10 years. Three of five patients with recurrent meningitis had CSF leaks. The most common features at presentation were fits, irritability, diarrhoea, and bulging fontanelles in those under 6 months; vomiting, drowsiness and poor feeding in those between 6 months and 2 years; neck stiffness, vomiting and drowsiness in those between 2 and 10 years while neck stiffness, focal neurology, headache and vomiting were commonest in those over 10 years old. Fever was common in all age groups as were foci of infection outside the CSF, with chest infections being significantly associated with mortality (P < 0.05). Of the laboratory parameters measured, low platelets (< 100 x 10(9)/l and high blood urea (> 7 mmol/l) were associated with mortality (P < 0.05). Blood cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae in 79.7% patients. Seventy-four (96%) patients had CSF taken of which 81% had gram films which were positive and interpreted correctly as showing pneumococci. Pneumococci were grown in 87.8% CSF cultures and all were sensitive to penicillin but a single isolate was chloramphenicol resistant. Many different antimicrobial drugs were used but penicillin plus chloramphenicol was the most commonly employed after the results of CSF microscopy were known and penicillin alone after culture results were available. Penicillin mono-therapy was associated with a low mortality.

Rifampicin in pneumococcal meningoencephalitis

The cases are reported of two infants with pneumococcal meningitis in whom initial antibiotic treatment was ineffective despite the organisms being sensitive to the drugs used. A clinical and radiological diagnosis of meningoencephalitis was made. A rapid improvement followed the addition of rifampicin treatment.

Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b invasive disease in Wales

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the epidemiology of invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae type b, the clones responsible, and the antibiotic resistance of the isolates.

DESIGN

Prospective population based analysis of clinical and epidemiological data collected for Gwynedd during 1980-90 and in the whole of Wales during 1988-90.

SETTING

19 hospitals in Wales; all medical microbiology laboratories in Wales participated.

PATIENTS

82 patients with confirmed invasive infections caused by H influenzae type b in Gwynedd during 1980-90 and 207 in Wales during 1988-90.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical and epidemiological measures; analysis of the clonal types of the isolates based on the electrophoretic mobilities of 17 metabolic enzymes; and antibiotic resistance.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of H influenzae type b infections in Gwynedd was 3.2 cases/100,000 and in Wales was 2.5 cases/100,000. Most cases occurred in children aged under 5 years, the highest annual incidence being in those aged under 1 (84.6/100,000 and 56.9/100,000 in Wales). The cumulative risk of acquiring H influenzae type b disease by the fifth birthday was one in 456 in Gwynedd and one in 578 in Wales. Fifteen per cent of cases in Gwynedd and 7% of those in Wales occurred in adults. Predominant clinical conditions were meningitis in children and pneumonia in adults. In Gwynedd 2/70 (3%) children and 5/12 (42%) adults died. Long term neurological sequelae occurred in 8% (4/48) of children who survived haemophilus meningitis. Children presenting with infection were usually the youngest members of their family. No secondary household cases were identified. 100 of 128 (78%) strains were of a single clone, electrophoretic type 12.5, and 4/207 (1.9%) isolates from Wales were resistant to both ampicillin and chloramphenicol.

CONCLUSIONS

The annual rate of infection in children aged under 5 in four Welsh counties was 12-44% higher than that previously published for the United Kingdom. The study emphasises the potential value of a vaccine effective in early infancy and provides baseline data to assess its efficacy after its introduction. Alternatives to ampicillin and chloramphenicol should be used as first line, empirical treatment for severe infections that might be caused by H influenzae type b in Wales.

[The epidemiology of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a metropolitan area, Brazil, 1960-1977]

The epidemiology of meningitis caused by S. pneumoniae in the city of S. Paulo, Brazil, during the period 1960-77 is analysed. Data were obtained directly from the patients' records and registered on a pre-coded form. Cases of S. pneumoniae meningitis were confirmed by gram stain and/or culture of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). During the period 1960-77, there was confirmation of 1,965 cases of S. pneumoniae meningitis, giving an average rate of 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Children of less than 5 years of age accounted for 52% of cases and 39% were less than 1 year old. The average rates for children below 1 year of age were 37 and 30 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively, for the periods 1960-69 and 1970-77. The rate of incidence for the peripheral zone--2.2 per 100,000 inhabitants--was practically double the rate for the central area--1.2 per 100,000 inhabitants--in the 1960's. The age standardized rates were 1.6, 1.5 and 2.0 for central, intermediate, and peripheral zones, respectively. In the 1970's these rates were 1.4, 1.5 and 2.0. The average case fatality rate for the period was 47% which was inversely proportional to the number of CSF leucocytes at first examination. For children less than year old, the case fatality rate was 60% for the same period.

Changes in bacterial meningitis

In 1964, one of us (WHG) undertook a retrospective study of bacterial meningitis in childhood in the north east of Scotland during the period 1946-61. We have recently carried out a similar review of cases occurring during 1971-86, to compare the incidence, mortality, and bacteriological patterns. During the earlier period 285 cases occurred, a total incidence of 16.9/100,000 children per year. In the later period 274 children were affected, an annual incidence of 17.8/100,000. The overall mortality rate fell dramatically from 11.9% to 1.8%, the latter figure comparing favourably with recent published studies from Scandinavia and the United States. There was a change in the bacteriological profile in the second period with a significant rise in cases due to Haemophilus influenzae at all ages. A fall in cases of meningococcal meningitis was significant in infants under 1 year of age only. Possible reasons for the change in the bacteriological pattern are discussed.

Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in the Oxford region

A prospective survey of children in the Oxford region identified 200 cases of systemic Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in the first three and a half years of the study. The annual incidence in children less than 5 years of age was 33.4/100,000. This represents a cumulative incidence of one systemic infection in 600 children before their 5th birthday. The mortality was 5.0%. The risk of H influenzae type b meningitis was one in 850 with a mortality of 5.6%, and substantial morbidity among survivors. From the total live birth rate, about 1300 cases of systemic H influenzae type b disease, over 900 cases of H influenzae type b meningitis, and 65 deaths would be predicted annually in children in the United Kingdom.

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in previously healthy adults

A retrospective study of four sporadic cases of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis is reported. Contrary to the conventional epidemiology these patients were adults who were not immuno-compromised. Although all four cases produced positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures, in three, listeria was not microscopically identified. Protein and glucose contents of cerebrospinal fluids were variable and all samples showed lymphocytic pleocytosis. All four had neutrophil leucocytosis in peripheral blood. The unwary may dismiss lymphocytic meningitis as being of 'viral' origin, thereby making an important diagnostic misjudgement of vital therapeutic importance. Intravenous ampicillin is the drug of first choice for treatment of listeria meningitis; third generation cephalosporins are ineffective.

Meningitis in an Irish community

A series of 26 cases of meningitis occurring in one year in a defined area is presented. The clinical features, and complications are reviewed. Neisseria meningitidis occurred twice as commonly as Haemophilus influenzae, suggesting that the pattern of infection differs from that reported in England and Wales. An incidence of 4.6/100,000 for N. meningitidis is reported exceeding rates of infection in previous UK "epidemics".

Listeriosis in Ayrshire 1965-85

Twelve cases of listeriosis are described. Nine patients had meningitis, two primary listerial bacteraemia and one had bacteraemia from a focus of infection in the genito-urinary tract. Clinical presentation and treatment are described.

Neonatal listeriosis: a report of seven cases

Seven neonates with listeriosis admitted to Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait, are reported. Six had the meningitic type and one the septicaemic type. Serotyping showed 1/4b in all neonates. The response to 2 weeks ampicillin and amikacin was excellent with no mortality or morbidity.

Increased incidence of childhood bacterial meningitis. A 25-year study in a defined population in Sweden

In a retrospective study in Orebro, Sweden 1956-1980, 201 cases of bacterial meningitis in children over the age of 1 month were analysed. The aetiology was Haemophilus influenzae in 123 cases, Neisseria meningitidis in 55 cases and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 19 cases. We registered a significant increase in incidence of H. influenzae meningitis from 5.6 (1956-1965) to 13.0 (1971-1980) per 100,000 children and year (p less than 0.01). The mortality decreased from 19% to 4% during the period studied. This decrease was primarily due to a reduced mortality in hospital later than 12 h after admission. Hearing impairment was the most frequent sequel (10%) and no change in frequency was observed during the 25 years studied. Hearing impairment was registered significantly more often in cases with a late admission to hospital (greater than 48 h) as compared to cases with an earlier admission (p less than 0.001).

Listeria meningitis: report of ten recent cases and review of current therapeutic recommendations

Ten cases of meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes were admitted to three hospitals in Berlin between 1978 and 1983. One patient was a premature infant in whom meningitis was diagnosed as part of typical granulomatosis infantiseptica. Another presented with signs of brainstem encephalitis which was confirmed post mortem. Positive blood cultures were obtained from five of the patients. Two strains of listeria were resistant and one was only moderately sensitive to penicillin. The three most recently isolated strains were tested for sensitivity to the third generation cephalosporins. All were resistant to latamoxef, and two were resistant to cefotaxime. The implications of these findings for the empirical treatment of purulent meningitis are discussed.

Meningococcal infections in Scotland 1972-82

Strains of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from patients with meningitis or septicaemia without meningitis in Scotland during the years 1972-82 have been reviewed together with details of the age, sex, disease and outcome of the patients from whom they were isolated. A total of 1185 strains were isolated, of which 927 were examined at the Meningococcal Reference Laboratory (Scotland): 19.3% were of serogroup A, 63% of group B, 9.6% of group C, 6% of W135 and 1.6% of other groups. Non-groupable strains were rare. Disease was most common in the first years of life but there was a difference in the age distribution of disease due to the different serogroups, the proportion of disease due to group B being smaller in adults than that due to other serogroups. The overall mortality in meningitis was 7.5% and in septicaemia was 20.6%, although there were differences between the rates for the various serogroups. The serogroup distribution differed in disease as opposed to meningococci isolated from carriers although group B strains were predominant in both series. Overall, approximately 15% of strains were resistant to sulphadiazine, the proportion of resistant group A strains being higher than that of other serogroups.

A review of Haemophilus influenzae infections in Cambridge 1975-1981

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections diagnosed in Cambridge between January 1975 and December 1981 are reviewed. Altogether, 81 sites in 77 patients were infected. Of these patients, 41 had meningitis, 20 epiglottitis, 8 bone or joint infections (2 with concurrent meningitis), 4 cellulitis, 5 pneumonia (2 with concurrent epiglottitis) and 3 septicaemia in the absence of documented localised infection. Most patients (88%) were children less than 5 years of age. Only 8 adults with such infections were identified. Of these, 6 had an identifiable predisposing condition. The incidence of meningitis was 18 cases per 100 000 children less than 5 years of age. There were 3 deaths. Of the strains of H. influenzae isolated, 16% were ampicillin-resistant. The unusual age-specific incidence of epiglottitis and the incidence of deafness after meningitis are emphasised.

Bacterial meningitis in Nottingham

Records of 171 cases of bacterial meningitis admitted to Nottingham hospitals from January 1974 to June 1980 were reviewed. The distribution of organisms producing meningitis and the factors influencing mortality in different age groups were assessed. Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 69% of all proven cases. The overall mortality was 26% being lowest in patients with meningococcal meningitis (0%) and highest in those with pneumococcal meningitis (53%). The following factors were associated with a poor prognosis: age more than 40 years, or less than 2 months; state of consciousness on admission; high CSF protein concentration; and a positive blood culture. There was no evidence that antibiotic therapy prior to admission affected prognosis. Although many laboratory findings were altered by prior treatment with antibiotics, this did not prevent the establishment of a diagnosis in the individual patient.