Description

Recurrent bacterial meningitis can be a serious problem in some patients, resulting in significant morbidity and even mortality. Some patient have bad luck but often there is an underlying cause. Failure to identify and to correct an underlying condition increases the chances of recurrent meningitis in these patients.


 

Causes:

(1) break in the dura, which may or may not be associated with a CSF leak (CSF otorrhea, CSF rhinorrea)

(1a) head trauma

(1b) congenital malformation (cephalocele, other)

(1c) tumor

(1d) surgery

(2) immunodeficiency or defect in host defenses

(3) foreign body, medical device or parasite

(4) inadequate therapy or persistent infection adjacent to the meninges (osteomyelitis, etc)

 

Differential diagnosis:

(1) aseptic meningitis secondary to antibiotics


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