Finnish paediatric study found a low incidence of bacterial meningitis from 2011 to 2018 but a substantial proportion of nosocomial meningitis.

AIM: This study examined the predisposing factors, clinical picture, bacterial aetiology and clinical outcomes of infants and children with bacterial meningitis (BM). METHODS: The medical records of patients under 16 years of age, treated by Turku University Hospital, Finland, from 2011 to 2018, were screened for meningitis using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. Patients were included if bacteria were detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or other predefined laboratory variables indicated BM, despite CSF testing negative for bacteria. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to determine outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 37 children with BM: 22 infants aged 0-89 days and 15 children aged 90 days to 15 years. The overall incidence was approximately 5.7/100 000/year. Nosocomial meningitis was documented in 51%. Bacterial growth was detected in the CSF or blood cultures of the majority of patients (57%). Escherichia coli (14%), group B streptococcus (11%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (8%) were the most common pathogens. There were 14% of patients with unfavourable outcomes, namely GOS scores of 1-4, but no deaths. CONCLUSION: The incidence of paediatric BM was low during the study period, but the proportion of nosocomial meningitis was substantial. The frequency of unfavourable long-term outcomes was relatively low.

Bacterial meningitis in adults: a retrospective study among 148 patients in an 8-year period in a university hospital, Finland.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis (BM) causes significant morbidity and mortality. We investigated predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, spectrum of etiological bacteria, and clinical outcome of community-acquired and nosocomial BM. METHODS: In this retrospective study we analyzed data of 148 adults (age > 16 years) with BM treated in Turku University Hospital, Southwestern Finland, from 2011 to 2018. Besides culture- or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive cases we also included culture-negative cases with laboratory parameters strongly suggestive of BM and those with meningitis-related findings in imaging. We used Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score 1-4 to determine unfavorable outcome. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 57 years and 48.6% were male. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture for bacteria showed positivity in 50 (33.8%) cases, although pre-diagnostic antibiotic use was frequent (85, 57.4%). The most common pathogens in CSF culture were Streptococcus pneumoniae (11, 7.4%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (7, 4.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (6, 4.1%) and Neisseria meningitidis (6, 4.1%). Thirty-nine patients (26.4%) presented with the triad of fever, headache, and neck stiffness. A neurosurgical procedure or an acute cerebral incident prior BM was recorded in 74 patients (50%). Most of the patients had nosocomial BM (82, 55.4%) and the rest (66, 44.6%) community-acquired BM. Ceftriaxone and vancomycin were the most used antibiotics. Causative pathogens had resistances against the following antibiotics: cefuroxime with a frequency of 6.8%, ampicillin (6.1%), and tetracycline (6.1%). The case fatality rate was 8.8% and the additional likelihood of unfavorable outcome 40.5%. Headache, decreased general condition, head computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hypertension, altered mental status, confusion, operative treatment, neurological symptoms, pre-diagnostic antibiotic use and oral antibiotics on discharge were associated with unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The number of cases with nosocomial BM was surprisingly high and should be further investigated. The usage of pre-diagnostic antibiotics was also quite high. Headache was associated with unfavorable outcome. The frequency of unfavorable outcome of BM was 40.5%, although mortality in our patients was lower than in most previous studies.

Hearing impairment in Angolan children with acute bacterial meningitis with and without otitis media.

AIM: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a common cause of hearing loss in childhood. Our aim was to investigate bacterial aetiology, hearing impairment and outcome in childhood BM with vs. without otitis media (OM) in Angola. METHODS: Hearing was tested by auditory brainstem response in 391 (76%) children with confirmed BM. The bacteria identified from the ear discharge were compared to those from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The hearing findings were compared among children with vs. without OM on days 1 and 7 of hospitalization, and at follow-ups of 1, 3 and 6 month(s). RESULTS: No correlation was found in bacteriology between the ear discharge and CSF. On day 7 in hospital, hearing impairment (>40 dB) was common, regardless of whether concomitant OM or not (in 27% vs. 30%, respectively). Any hearing deficit on day 7 was associated with a higher risk of complicated or fatal clinical course (OR 2.76, CI95% 1.43-5.29, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: No significant difference prevailed in hearing thresholds between children with or without OM in hospital on day 7 or at later follow-ups. Any hearing impairment during hospital stay associated with a higher risk for complicated clinical course or death.

Otitis Media-associated Bacterial Meningitis in Children in a Low-income Country.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media (OM) is a common childhood infection that may result in bacterial meningitis (BM). However, OM-associated BM remains poorly characterized. We aimed to study the occurrence, clinical presentation and outcome of this type of childhood BM in Luanda, Angola. METHODS: Five hundred twelve children from our previous clinical BM trial, with the ear meticulously examined, were analyzed whether they had or not OM, and according to their age, ≤12 month old and >12 month old. Prospectively collected clinical data, laboratory test results and outcome for these groups were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-two children (12%) had OM-associated BM, of whom 39 had otorrhea. Ear discharge was more common in older children (median age 45 months old vs. 12 months old; P < 0.001). Children with OM often showed an additional infectious focus (n = 20, 32% vs. n = 82, 18%; P = 0.016), were dehydrated (n = 16, 26% vs. n = 66, 15%; P = 0.04), and showed higher odds of complicated clinical course or death (odds ratios 2.27, 95% CI: 1.004-5.15, P = 0.049) compared with children without OM. The >12-month-old children with OM often arrived in poor clinical condition with coma and/or ptosis. Otorrhea was associated with HIV positivity. Infants with otorrhea frequently lived under poor socioeconomic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Children with OM-associated BM were prone to many problems, such as being especially ill at presentation, undergoing a difficult clinical course and showing a higher risk of complicated or fatal outcome. HIV infection and malnutrition were common in children with otorrhea, which was also associated with low socioeconomic status.

Otogenic Intracranial Abscesses, Our Experience Over the Last Four Decades.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predisposing factors for otogenic intracranial abscesses, assess their changes over time, and analyze how they differ from those due to other causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of all patients treated for otogenic intracranial abscesses, between 1970 and 2012 at a tertiary referral center, were retrospectively analyzed. The analysis included patient demographics, clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, treatments, outcomes, and comparisons of otogenic and non-otogenic intracranial abscesses. RESULTS: Of all intracranial abscesses, 11% (n=18) were otogenic. In the 1970s, otogenic infections were a common predisposing factor for intracranial abscess; but within our study period, the incidence of otogenic intracranial abscesses decreased. Most (94%) otogenic cases were due to chronic suppurative otitis media and 78% were associated with cholesteatoma. Most patients (94%) had ear symptoms. The most common presenting symptoms were discharge from the infected ear (50%), headache (39%), neurological symptoms (28%), and fever (17%). The most common pathogens belonged to Streptococcus spp. (33%), Gram-negative enteric bacteria (22%), and Bacteroides spp. (11%). Neurosurgery was performed on all patients, 69% of which were prior to a later ear surgery. Surgery of the affected ear was performed on 14 patients (78%). A favorable recovery was typical (78%); however, one patient died. CONCLUSION: Otogenic intracranial abscesses were most commonly due to a chronic ear infection with cholesteatoma. Ear symptoms and Gram-negative enteric bacteria were more common among patients with otogenic than non-otogenic intracranial abscesses.

Intracranial abscesses over the last four decades; changes in aetiology, diagnostics, treatment and outcome.

Background The development of modern medicine has resulted in changes in the predisposing conditions, clinical picture, treatment and results of treatment of intracranial abscesses. This study sought to evaluate these changes in a hospital district. Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of all patients treated due to intracranial abscesses at a tertiary referral centre, between 1970-2012. Results The total number of intracranial abscesses was 166. The incidence of intracranial abscesses was 0.33/100 000/year (2000-2012). The most common predisposing conditions were infection of the ear-, nose- and throat region (22%), odontogenic infection (15%) and cardiac anomaly (13%). Lately (2000-2012), infections of the ear-, nose- and throat region (15%) and cardiac anomalies (5%) have become less common, whereas odontogenic infections (32%) have become more common. The most common pathogens belong to Streptococcus spp (42%), Fusobacteriae (14%), Actinomycetales (8%) and Staphylococcus spp (8%). Most patients (66%) experienced a favourable recovery; the proportion of patients with favourable outcome enabling return to prior occupation rose over time, from 12% in 1970-1989 to 24% in 1990-2012. Conclusions The predisposing conditions for intracranial abscesses have changed markedly within the study period. Odontogenic infections have become a common predisposing condition, whereas infections of the ear-, nose- and throat region and cardiac malformations are nowadays less common as predisposing conditions compared to at the beginning of the study period. The proportion of patients with favourable outcome enabling return to prior occupation seems to have increased with time.

Children hospitalized due to acute otitis media: how does this condition differ from acute mastoiditis?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical picture and microbiological findings of children hospitalized due to acute otitis media and to analyze how it differs from acute mastoiditis. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all children (0-16 years) hospitalized due to acute otitis media in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Helsinki University Hospital, between 2003 and 2012. Comparison with previously published data of children with acute mastoiditis (n=56) from the same institute and period of time. RESULTS: The most common pathogens in the children hospitalized due to acute otitis media (n=44) were Streptococcus pneumoniae (18%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16%), Streptococcus pyogenes (14%), and Staphylococcus aureus (14%). One of the most common pathogens of out-patient acute otitis media, Haemophilus influenzae, was absent. Otorrhea was common in infections caused by S. pyogenes and otorrhea via tympanostomy tube in infections caused by P. aeruginosa. In children under 2 years-of-age, the most common pathogens were S. pneumoniae (43%), Moraxella catarrhalis (14%), and S. aureus (7%). S. pyogenes and P. aeruginosa were only found in children over 2 years-of-age. Previous health problems, bilateral infections, and facial nerve paresis were more common in children hospitalized due to acute otitis media, compared with acute mastoiditis, but they also demonstrated lower CRP values and shorter duration of hospital stay. The number of performed tympanostomies and mastoidectomies was also comparatively smaller in the children hospitalized due to acute otitis media. S. aureus was more common and S. pneumoniae, especially its resistant strains, was less common in the children hospitalized due to acute otitis media than acute mastoiditis. CONCLUSIONS: Acute otitis media requiring hospitalization and acute mastoiditis compose a continuum of complicated acute otitis media that differs from common out-patient acute otitis media. The bacteriology of children hospitalized due to acute otitis media resembled more the bacteriology of acute mastoiditis than that of out-patient acute otitis media. The children hospitalized due to acute otitis media needed less surgical treatment and a shorter hospitalization than those hospitalized due to acute mastoiditis.

Bacteriology in relation to clinical findings and treatment of acute mastoiditis in children.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed clinical, radiological, laboratory and microbiological findings in children with acute mastoiditis in order to improve the diagnostics and treatment of these patients. We also investigated whether different pathogens cause different clinical findings of mastoiditis. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all children aged 0-16 years treated as in-ward patients for acute mastoiditis at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, between 2003 and 2012. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of mastoiditis was 1.88/100000/year. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (38%), Streptococcus pyogenes (11%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%). Of S. pneumoniae, 48% had reduced susceptibility (intermediate or resistant) for the common antimicrobials; this was clearly overrepresented relative to the background population (p<0.001). Otalgia and retroauricular symptoms were common in the patients with S. pneumoniae. Otorrhoea was less common (p=0.03) in these patients relative to the other pathogens. Patients with S. pneumoniae had more destruction of the mastoid septa (p=0.05) than patients with any of the other pathogens. Mastoidectomy was performed in 34% of all cases, it was most common (60%) in the patients with S. pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility. The patients with S. pyogenes had less otalgia and seemed to have less retroauricular symptoms relative to other pathogens. P. aeruginosa especially affected children with tympanostomy tubes, caused otorrhoea in all patients and caused a milder form of disease with less retroauricular swelling (p=0.04) than the other pathogens, and there was no need for mastoidectomies. The younger children (<2 years) had less otorrhoea and more retroauricular symptoms of infection than the older patients. No significant differences emerged in outcome of the patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical findings of acute mastoiditis differ according to the causative pathogen. S. pneumoniae, especially strains with reduced susceptibility, causes severe symptoms and leads to mastoidectomy more often than the other pathogens. S. pyogenes causes less otalgia than the other pathogens. P. aeruginosa particularly affects children with tympanostomy tubes and causes a less aggressive form of disease.

[Complications of acute otitis media]. / Välikorvatulehduksen komplikaatiot.

Most cases of acute otitis media (AOM) resolve even without antibiotic treatment. In the pre-antibiotic era, AOM complications were common and could lead to deafness and neurological sequelae. With the use of antibiotics, the complications have become less frequent, but they may still evolve. The possible increase in the occurrence of complications has to be considered if we start treating AOM more conservatively and if bacterial antibiotic resistance situation becomes more problematic. These rare but possibly lethal complications should be diagnosed and treated promptly. The need for cochlear implantation has to be evaluated soon after an episode of meningitis if deafness is suspected.