Streptococcus pneumoniae-meningitis hos voksne. H:S Hvidovre Hospital 1988-2002
Sammanfattning
Background:Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent cause of bacterial meningitis among adults. The mortality rate is high and has remained unchanged over the past decades. The objective of the present study was to characterise the course and outcome of S. pneumoniae meningitis in a Danish hospital. Materials and methods: All adults with S. pneumoniae meningitis admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hvidovre University Hospital from 1988 through 2002 were included in the study. Results: 58 consecutive patients were included. 22 (38%) died in hospital. The patients who died were older and had a lower white blood cell count, thrombocytopenia, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, low cerebrospinal glucose and elevated cerebrospinal protein than those who survived. Discussion: The mortality rate from pneumococcal meningitis remains unacceptably high. Larger studies are warranted to identify additional risk factors that will identify patients at the highest risk of death, as well as patients at risk of contracting the disease, in order to reduce the mortality rate.