[Treatment of acute bacterial meningitis].

BACKGROUND

Acute bacterial meningitis requires immediate antimicrobial therapy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Guidelines to antimicrobial treatment of children and adults with acute bacterial meningitis are presented.

RESULTS

The most common agents causing acute bacterial meningitis are Streptococcus agalactiae in children less than one month of age, and Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis in individuals more than one month of age. If the causative bacterial agent is not known, children below one month of age should be given ampicillin and gentamicin, whereas older children and adults should be given benzylpenicillin in combination with either cefotaxime or ceftriaxone. We suggest treatment with specific antibiotic regimens in cases of known aetiology.