Bacterial meningitis occurs when the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges, becomes infected by a virus, fungus, or bacteria. While viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis, bacteria is often the most severe etiology. If left untreated, meningitis can be fatal, causing inflammation and swelling around the brain. This increases intracranial pressure, which can lead to stroke, seizures, or herniation of the brain into the foramen magnum. The proximity of the infection to the brain and spinal cord means the early detection and treatment of bacterial meningitis is crucial in treatment of patients.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of bacterial meningitis through the use of pertinent, …show more content…
Overall, the most common cause is Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is responsible for 71 percent of the cases that occur in the United States (Tunkel, 2016). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common bacterial causes of meningitis in newborns are (from most prevalent to least): Group B Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumonie, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli. In babies and children, the principal bacteria responsible are: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and group B Streptococcus. Teens and young adults are more likely to be affected by Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. A wider array of bacteria are known to cause meningitis in older adults. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Hib, group B Streptococcus, and Listeria monocytogenes are the leading causes for this demographic. It should be noted that due to the institution of childhood Hib and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) vaccines, the majority of bacterial meningitis cases in the United States has swung from children under five years old to adults (Kaplan & Porter, …show more content…
For neonates, Group B streptococci (GBS) and gram-negative enteric bacilli are the most common causes of meningitis (“Bacterial meningitis”, 2017). In infants ages 1 to 23 months, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis GBS, Hib, and Escherichia coli are usually the cause (“Bacterial meningitis”, 2017). In children and adults ages 2 to 50 years, the cause is most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis (“Bacterial meningitis”, 2017). In adults ages 50 years or older, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Listeria monocytogenes pose the greatest hazards (“Bacterial meningitis”, 2017). Post neurosurgery or after penetrating CNS trauma, patients are at risk for bacterial meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and aerobic gram-negative bacilli (“Bacterial meningitis”, 2017). After receiving a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and aerobic gram-negative bacilli are the most likely causes (“Bacterial meningitis”, 2017). If a patient suffers from a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak or a basilar skull fracture, they are at risk for infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae, other Streptococcus species, and Haemophilus influenza (“Bacterial meningitis”, 2017). In a patient with impaired immunity, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, and