Present situation of bacterial neuroinfections across the globe – review

Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is still life-treating disease, which cause about 1.2 million cases and it is responsible for over 100 thousand of deaths across the globe. [2][ The most common pathogens which case the disease are Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria monocytogenes. Morbidity is significantly higher in Africa, than in other regions in the world. Region of the highest frequency of new cases is located in sub-Saharan Africa and called meningitis belt. Vaccination campaigns against bacterial, mostly meningococcal were conducted in some of these regions and the benefits of it were seen [5].

Young children and elderly patients are predisposed to have bacterial meningitis. In pediatric population the disease usually presents as fever, seizures, vomiting, chills, altered mental status and stiff neck. [4] Development of each country have impact on mortality and morbidity among children. [6] Elderly patients, because of their comorbidity are also predisposed to bacterial meningitis. Diseases like diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, cancer, HIV/AIDS or being after splenectomy may make the patients susceptible for bacterial invasion of CNS.

Also, every factor which interrupt blood-brain barrier, like trauma or surgery may cause the infection.

Intracerebral hemorrhage can be consequence of the infection, which cause other complications like impaired consciousness, focal neurological deficit, need of mechanical ventilation and seizures. It was noticed that in most of cases bacterial meningitis had S.pneumoniae etiology.