Clinical and biological features of enteroviral meningitis among adults and children and factors associated with severity and length of stay.

BACKGROUND

Enterovirus (EV) meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Clinical and biological manifestations may be non-specific, leading to prolonged and costly investigations.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the different aspects of EV meningitis and the variables associated with length of stay (LOS) in hospital independently of patients' age.

STUDY

DESIGN

Single center retrospective study of all EV PCR positive CSF samples during 3.5 years in Bordeaux University Hospital, France.

RESULTS

172 patients were included. 65 were under 3 years old and 49 over 18 years old. 10% of patients had severe forms of the disease. 47 patients (27.3%) had normal CSF count and in 63 patients (36.6%) polynuclear cells predominated in CSF. Procalcitonin, Hoens' score or PCR in stool samples appeared as good markers for enteroviral diagnosis. Time elapsed before PCR results was associated with LOS (p = .002) and should help in limiting investigations in case of aseptic meningitis.

CONCLUSION

Rapid availability of EV PCR reduces LOS for patients and contributes to diminish unnecessary procedures and further tests.