Biomaterial Database

[Acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults]. 2009

H O Zender, and P Olivier, and D Genné

Service des soins intensifs, Département de médecine cantonal, Hôpital neuchâtelois-La Chaux-de-Fonds, Rue de Chasseral 20, 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds. herve.zender@ne.ch

Bacterial meningitis in adults is fatal in 20% of patients and leads to sequels in 30%. The clinical presentation includes two of the following four symptoms and signs: fever, headache, stiff neck, altered mental status. The essential ancillary test is the analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid. Sometimes, the lumbar puncture is not feasible or deferred (brain computer tomography), requiring antibiotics and corticosteroids early. 80% of bacterial meningitis are secondary to pneumococcus or meningococcus. Empirical antibiotics must be given as soon as possible and provide coverage for these both bacteria. Corticosteroids are also recommended for some meningitis. A score can predict the evolution. Preventive measure must be taken for close contacts of a patient with a meningococcal meningitis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208	Acute Disease	Disease having a short and relatively severe course.	Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D016920	Meningitis, Bacterial	Bacterial infections of the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space, frequently involving the cerebral cortex, cranial nerves, cerebral blood vessels, spinal cord, and nerve roots.	Bacterial Meningitis,Bacterial Meningitides,Meningitides, Bacterial
D017714	Community-Acquired Infections	Any infection acquired in the community, that is, contrasted with those acquired in a health care facility (CROSS INFECTION). An infection would be classified as community-acquired if the patient had not recently been in a health care facility or been in contact with someone who had been recently in a health care facility.	Community Acquired Infection,Community-Acquired Infection,Infections, Community-Acquired,Acquired Infection, Community,Acquired Infections, Community,Community Acquired Infections,Infection, Community Acquired,Infection, Community-Acquired,Infections, Community Acquired