Médecine et maladies infectieuses
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The epidemiology of acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis in children in industrialized nations was greatly modified because of recommended vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae b, Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and in some countries against Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) group C. However, most cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by SP and Nm most frequently group B, which validates the first intention use of cefotaxime or ceftriaxone combined or not with vancomycin according to the probability of pneumococcal resistance.
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The annual incidence of community acquired meningitis ranges between 0.6 and four per 100,000 adults in industrialized countries. The most common causative bacteria are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes. The emergence of resistance to antibiotics, especially for S. pneumoniae, could explain the clinical failure of third generation cephalosporins used to treat adults with S. pneumoniae meningitis. The present therapeutic suggestions are more based on the extrapolation of an experimental model than on relevant clinical trials.
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Review
[Managing adult patients with acute community-acquired meningitis presumed of bacterial origin].
Early clinical data must lead to suspect bacterial meningitis if fever, the most frequent sign, is present and if it is associated with more or less constant neurological and meningeal signs (consciousness impairment, headache, neck stiffness, focal neurological deficit, seizure, etc.). A skin rash is frequent in case of meningococcal meningitis whereas cranial nerve palsy is more in favor of tuberculous or Listeria meningitis. Presence of otitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, or a recent head trauma strongly suggests a pneumococcal involvement. ⋯ The management of patient after hospital discharge depends on evolution after treatment. The presence of neurological sequels imposes a specialized ambulatory follow-up. Neuropsychological sequels (cognitive dysfunction, memory impairment) can also persist for years even in absence of other neurological disorders.