ABSTRACT
Familiarity with the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of bacterial meningitis [BM] is important for rapid diagnosis and initiation of antibacterial therapy. This study aimed at evaluating these patients based on their epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings and comparing these variables with patients with aseptic meningitis [ASM]. Admitted patients aged 18 years or more who were hospitalized because of meningitis, were studied between 2003 and 2007. Cases were grouped as BM and ASM and compared for their epidemiological, clinical and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] laboratory aspects. Among 312 patients with meningitis, 215 [68.9%] had BM [42 definite, 156 probable and 17 partially treated] and 97 [31.1.%] had ASM. The mean age of patients with BM was 44.7 +/- 26.7 years and for ASM was 37.3 +/- 15.5 years [P>0.05]. Twelve percent of cases had triad of fever, neck stiffness and low level of consciousness. The means for CSF-WBC, CSF- glucose and CSF-protein in BM compared with ASM patients were 4021.6 +/- 1035.2 and 163.2 +/- 116.4 cell/microl of CSF; 27.5 +/- 17.3 and 68.7 +/- 16.lmg/dl and 689.8 +/- 476.8 and 132.6 +/- 107.7mg/dl, respectively [P<0.05]. The prevalence of BM was higher than that of ASM. Tuberculous meningitis had a considerable frequency among ASM patients. Confirmed BM based on CSF culture was lower than other studies. The number of performed LP procedures was not in accordance with the total meningitis cases. Similarly, WBC and glucose in CSF were helpful in differential diagnosis of BM vs. ASM