REVIEW – April 2004

Treatment of bacterial meningitis

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Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is associated with high mortality despite development of modern intensive care and availabilities of antimicrobial therapy. Empiric antibacterial therapy, depending on clinical setting finding of the cerebrospinal fluid and age of the patient, should be initiated without delay, as the prognosis of the disease depends on the time when therapy is started. Permanent antibiotic therapy is administered after identification of the aethiologic factor. According to recent data, adjunctive therapy with glycocorticoid hormones improves the outcome. Treatment of bacterial meningitis includes intensive care, management of concomitant pathology and complications.