Diagnosis treatment and prophylaxis of community-acquired bacterial meningitis: the review of the guidelines of European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis is one of the most serious infectious lesions of the central nervous system that can quickly lead to death in even previously healthy patients with inadequate treatment. The article provides an overview of the modern principles of diagnostics, treatment and prevention of community-acquired bacterial meningitis, based on the recent practical recommendations of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the UK specialized scientific societies as well as the author's personal experience.

Keywords

• community-acquired infections
• bacterial meningitis
• cerebrospinal fluid
• antibiotic therapy
• corticosteroids