Bartt Russell
Blue Sky Neurosciences, Englewood, CO 80113, USA.
Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2012 Dec;18(6 Infectious Disease):1255-70. doi: 10.1212/01.CON.0000423846.40147.4f.
Most cases of acute meningitis are infectious and result from a potentially wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens. The organized approach to the patient with suspected meningitis enables the prompt administration of antibiotics, possibly corticosteroids, and diagnostic testing with neuroimaging and spinal fluid analysis.
Acute meningitis is infectious in most cases and caused by a potentially wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens. Shifts in the epidemiology of bacterial pathogens have been influenced by changes in vaccines and their implementation. Seasonal and environmental changes influence the likely viral and rickettsial pathogens.
The organized approach to the patient with suspected meningitis enables the prompt administration of antibiotics, possibly corticosteroids, and diagnostic testing with neuroimaging and spinal fluid analysis. Pertinent testing and treatment can vary with the clinical presentation, season, and possible exposures. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute meningitis.
大多数急性脑膜炎病例具有传染性，由多种细菌和病毒病原体引起。对疑似脑膜炎患者采取有条理的方法能够迅速给予抗生素，可能还包括皮质类固醇，并进行神经影像学和脑脊液分析等诊断检测。
大多数情况下急性脑膜炎具有传染性，由多种细菌和病毒病原体引起。细菌病原体流行病学的变化受到疫苗及其应用变化的影响。季节和环境变化影响可能的病毒和立克次体病原体。
对疑似脑膜炎患者采取有条理的方法能够迅速给予抗生素，可能还包括皮质类固醇，并进行神经影像学和脑脊液分析等诊断检测。相关检测和治疗会因临床表现、季节和可能的接触情况而有所不同。本文综述了急性脑膜炎的流行病学、临床表现、诊断和治疗。
