Dataset Information

A systematic review of cases of meningitis in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis on lumbar puncture.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Definitive diagnosis of meningitis is made by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) obtained from a lumbar puncture (LP), which may take days. A timelier diagnostic clue of meningitis is pleocytosis on CSF analysis. However, meningitis may occur in the absence of pleocytosis on CSF. Areas of Uncertainty: A diagnosis of meningitis seems less likely without pleocytosis on CSF, leading clinicians to prematurely exclude this. Further, there is little available literature on the subject.

Methods

Ovid/Medline and Google Scholar search was conducted for cases of CSF culture-confirmed meningitis with lack of pleocytosis. Inclusion criterion was reported cases of CSF culture-positive or PCR positive meningitis in the absence of pleocytosis on LP. Exclusion criteria were pleocytosis on CSF, cases in which CSF cultures/PCR were not performed, and articles that did not include CSF laboratory values.

Results

A total of 124 cases from 51 articles were included. Causative organisms were primarily bacterial (99 cases). Outcome was reported in 86 cases, 27 of which died and 59 survived. Mortality in viral, fungal and bacterial organisms was 0, 56 and 31%, respectively. The overall percentage of positive initial CSF PCR/culture for viral, fungal and bacterial organisms was 100, 89 and 82%, respectively. Blood cultures were performed in 79 of the 124 cases, 56 (71%) of which ultimately cultured the causative organism. In addition to bacteremia, concomitant sources of infection occurred in 17 cases.

Conclusions

Meningitis in the absence of pleocytosis on CSF is rare. If this occurs, causative organism is likely bacterial. We recommend ordering blood cultures as an adjunct, and, if clinically relevant, concomitant sources of infection should be sought. If meningitis is suspected, empiric antibiotics/antifungals should be administered regardless of initial WBC count on lumbar puncture.

SUBMITTER: Troendle M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6683453 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A systematic review of cases of meningitis in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis on lumbar puncture.

Troendle Michelle M Pettigrew Alexis A

BMC infectious diseases 20190805 1

<h4>Background</h4>Definitive diagnosis of meningitis is made by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) obtained from a lumbar puncture (LP), which may take days. A timelier diagnostic clue of meningitis is pleocytosis on CSF analysis. However, meningitis may occur in the absence of pleocytosis on CSF. Areas of Uncertainty: A diagnosis of meningitis seems less likely without pleocytosis on CSF, leading clinicians to prematurely exclude this. Further, the ...[more]

PMID: 31382892

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Project description:Background: In Africa, tuberculosis is generally regarded as persisting as one of the most devastating infectious diseases. The pediatric population is particularly vulnerable, with infection of the brain in the form of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) being the most severe manifestation. TBM is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages because of its non-specific clinical presentation. Of particular concern is that late diagnosis, and subsequent delayed treatment, leads to high risk of long-term neurological sequelae, and even death. Using advanced technology and scientific expertise, we are intent on further describing the biochemistry behind this devastating neuroinflammatory disease, with the goal of improving upon its early diagnosis. Method: We used the highly sensitive analytical platform of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze amino acid profiles of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from a cohort of 33 South African pediatric TBM cases, compared to 34 controls. Results: Through the use of a stringent quality assurance procedure and various statistical techniques, we were able to confidently identify five amino acids as being significantly elevated in TBM cases, namely, alanine, asparagine, glycine, lysine, and proline. We found also in an earlier untargeted metabolomics investigation that alanine can be attributed to increased CSF lactate levels, and lysine as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Alanine, like glycine, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Asparagine, as with proline, is linked to the glutamate-glutamine cycle. Asparagine is associated with the removal of increased nitrites in the brain, whereas elevated proline coincides with the classic biochemical marker of increased CSF protein in TBM. All five discriminatory amino acids are linked to ammonia due to increased nitrites in TBM. Conclusion: A large amount of untapped biochemical information is present in CSF of TBM cases, of which amino acid profiling through GC-MS has potential in aiding in earlier diagnosis, and hence crucial earlier treatment.

Project description:BackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations play an important role in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However, their yield in the diagnosis of infant TBM remains unclear. This scoping review aims to detail the role of CSF examination for the diagnosis of infant TBM.MethodsA comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed to identify articles published prior to October 14th, 2021. Articles describing the results of CSF exanimations among infant TBM were eligible for inclusion. Data extracted from each study included age, sex, CSF microbiological evidence (such as AFB smear, TB PCR, and TB culture), and routine CSF examinations (such as appearance, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, protein, and glucose).ResultsA total of 98 cases were included in the final analysis. The yield of microbiological methods was listed as follows: CSF AFB smear, 20.5% (9/44); CSF TB culture 47.5% (29/61); CSF TB PCR, 65.0% (26/40); the combination of them, 57.3% (47/82). According to Marais criteria, the positivities of CSF examinations were calculated as follows: WBC count (ref, 50-500/μL), 65.5% (55/84); lymphocyte predominance (ref, >0.5), 75.4% (49/65); total protein (ref, >100 mg/dL), 67.8% (59/87); glucose (ref, <2.2 mmol/L, or CSF/serum ratio < 0.5), 68.2% (58/85).ConclusionsOur data demonstrated that routine microbiological tools for infant TBM diagnosis have a sensitivity ranging from 20.5% to 65.0%, and most CSF features are non-specific and insufficient to predict a diagnosis of infant TBM. Therefore, further effort is required to develop new tools for infant TBM diagnosis.Key messages: Routine microbiological tools (such as acid-fast bacilli smear, PCR, and culture) have an unsatisfactory sensitivity for infant TBM diagnosis, and most CSF features are non-specific and insufficient to predict a diagnosis of infant TBM. Therefore, further effort is required to develop new tools for infant TBM diagnosis.

Dataset Information

A systematic review of cases of meningitis in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis on lumbar puncture.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A systematic review of cases of meningitis in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis on lumbar puncture.

Similar Datasets

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