Meningitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Meningitis, including details on viral, bacterial, spinal, symptoms, treatment.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults.

Schut ES, de Gans J, van de Beek D

Department of Neurology, Centre of Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Despite the availability of effective antibiotics, vaccination programmes and skilled acute-care facilities, there is still a significant mortality and morbidity from bacterial meningitis. Neurologists are often called on to "rule out bacterial meningitis", which can be difficult with the history and physical examination alone. In this review the authors will discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults, focussing particularly on the management of patients with neurological complications, and stressing the importance of adjunctive dexamethasone.

Published 30 January 2008 in Pract Neurol, 8(1): 8-23.
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