Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial meningitis
Classification and external resources
ICD-9	320
MeSH	D016920

Bacterial meningitis refers to meningitis that is caused by bacterial infection.

Signs and Symptoms

• Fever
• Seizures
• Meningismus
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Photophobia
• Altered mental status and coma
• Anorexia

Bacterial meningitis is often associated with elevated levels of CSF total protein.

Types of bacterial meningitis

• Escherichia coli meningitis
• Haemophilus meningitis
• Listeria meningitis
• Meningococcal meningitis
• Meningeal tuberculosis
• Pneumococcal meningitis

Bacterial meningitis may initially appear aseptic. Even though true aseptic meningitis cannot be caused by pyogenic bacteria, broad-spectrum antibiotic cover should be started as the consequences of misdiagnosing a bacterial meningitis are dire, and relatively easily avoided. For non-pyogenic bacteria, local sensitivities should be taken into account, but generally broad-spectrum is best. Some bacteria are normally sensitive to certain drugs - for example, rifampicin is good for Brucella.

Treatment

While the choice of antibiotic sometimes differs based on the offending pathogen, treatment for bacterial meningitis always includes antibiotic drugs, often given intravenously. Dexamethasone has been proposed as a possible adjunct to treatment.

See also

• Meningitis
• Pathogenic bacteria
• Central nervous system infections