Acute Bacterial Meningitis : Causative Organisms,
Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 18(5); 2000 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2000;18(5): 556-561.

급성 세균성 수막염의 원인균,임상 양상과 예후 분석

박동철, 최일생 허지회 이경원*

연세대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실,임상병리학교실*

Acute Bacterial Meningitis : Causative Organisms, Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis

Dong-Chul Park, M.D., Il-Saing Choi, M.D., Ji-Hoe Heo, M.D., Kyoung-Won Lee, M.D.*

Departments of Neurology and Clinical Pathology*, Yonsei University College of Medicine

Abstract

Background : There is a lack of basic epidemiological information on bacterial meningitis in children and adults in Korea. Therefore, more research is needed to investigate the causative organisms, clinical manifestations, and prognosis in Korean children and adults. Methods : We analyzed retrospectively 148 medical records with final diagnosis of bac-terial meningitis. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was based on culture-positive cases. Results : Out of a total 148 patients, 71 were children and 77 were adults. In the children with community acquired meningitis, infection-related meningitis was the most common predisposing factor (23.3%). In adults, otitis media was the most common (21.7%). There were more frequent seizures in children than adults (38.1%, 17.1%, p<0.05). In community-acquired meningitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common type. However, in nosocomial meningitis, gram-negative bacilli was the most common type. The prognostic factors associated with mortality rate in adults were old age (>50 years), seizure (p<0.05), and mental change (p<0.001). Conclusions : Although a causative organism is not documented, we believe that our study will help to properly treat acute bacterial meningitis in children and adults regardless if it is community acquired or nosomial. J Korean Neurol Assoc 18(5):556~561, 2000 Key Words : Meningitis/Bacterial, Epidemiology, Cross infection