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Acute Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis

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CNS Infections

Abstract

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the most common causative organisms. The incidence of Listeria monocytogenes infection increases over age 50 years and in those with compromised cell-mediated immunity. Symptoms and signs are not sensitive or specific enough to diagnose community-acquired bacterial meningitis. A lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid is needed to reach the diagnosis, to identify the organism, and to determine antimicrobial susceptibilities. Computed tomography of the head is not necessary in all patients prior to a lumbar puncture, only in immunocompromised patients and in those who have features suggestive of or who are at risk of increased intracranial pressure. Appropriate empiric antimicrobials should be started as soon as possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Neurologic Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Adarsh Bhimraj M.D.

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  1. Adarsh Bhimraj M.D.
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Correspondence to Adarsh Bhimraj M.D. .

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  1. Department of Neurology, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo, Galdacano, Vizcaya, Spain

    Juan Carlos García-Moncó

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Bhimraj, A. (2018). Acute Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis. In: García-Moncó, J. (eds) CNS Infections. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70296-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70296-4_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-70295-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-70296-4

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