Alternative Names
Staphylococcal meningitis
Definition of Meningitis – staphylococcal
Staphylococcal is a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Staphylococcal meningitis is caused by bacteria. When it is caused by or bacteria, it usually develops as a complication of a surgical procedure, or as an infection spread by the blood from another site.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually come on quickly, and may include:
Signs and tests
Physical examination will usually show:
Treatment
Treatment with antibiotics should be started as soon as possible. Ceftriaxone is one of the most commonly used antibiotics. Nafcillin is also an effective treatment for staphylococcal meningitis.
Expectations (prognosis)
Early treatment improves the outcome. However, 3 – 5% of patients do not survive. Young children and adults over age 50 have the highest risk of death.
Review
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 9/15/2010
