Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Before the 1990s, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but new vaccines being given to all children as part of their routine immunizations have reduced the occurrence of invasive disease due to H. influenzae. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.

Overview

Feature Articles

Latest Meningitis News and Research

Pneumolysin toxin holds promise for developing therapies against Streptococcus pneumoniae

Pneumolysin toxin holds promise for developing therapies against Streptococcus pneumoniae

Global maternal Strep B immunization program may save millions of dollars in healthcare costs

Global maternal Strep B immunization program may save millions of dollars in healthcare costs

Combining AI and neuroscience to detect and predict neurological disorders

Combining AI and neuroscience to detect and predict neurological disorders

An overview of COVID-19-associated neurological complications in children

An overview of COVID-19-associated neurological complications in children

Study finds community-onset bacterial coinfection in children with critical COVID-19 is infrequent but empiric antibiotics are commonly prescribed

Study finds community-onset bacterial coinfection in children with critical COVID-19 is infrequent but empiric antibiotics are commonly prescribed

Study summarizes two cases of Cronobacter illness in infants linked to powdered infant formula and breast pump equipment

Study summarizes two cases of Cronobacter illness in infants linked to powdered infant formula and breast pump equipment

Adults and children mostly have only one of the classical 'triad' of meningitis symptoms, research shows

Adults and children mostly have only one of the classical 'triad' of meningitis symptoms, research shows

Bacteria exploit nerve cells in the meninges to facilitate brain invasion

Bacteria exploit nerve cells in the meninges to facilitate brain invasion

New solutions to boost Africa’s vaccine production

New solutions to boost Africa’s vaccine production

Neutralizing antibodies to Toscana and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus found in quails

Neutralizing antibodies to Toscana and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus found in quails

WHO reports a severe case of avian (bird) flu in Ecuador

WHO reports a severe case of avian (bird) flu in Ecuador

The decision of where to seek care is complicated by the multitude of options

The decision of where to seek care is complicated by the multitude of options

NY docs are now required to prescribe naloxone to some patients on opioid painkillers

NY docs are now required to prescribe naloxone to some patients on opioid painkillers

Bacterial outer membrane vesicles: utility as vaccines and novel engineering approaches

Bacterial outer membrane vesicles: utility as vaccines and novel engineering approaches

All patients with rheumatic disorders recommended to receive pneumococcal vaccine

All patients with rheumatic disorders recommended to receive pneumococcal vaccine

Research reveals how microorganisms found in the gut can worsen C. difficile infections

Research reveals how microorganisms found in the gut can worsen C. difficile infections

A new use for dating apps: Chasing STIs

A new use for dating apps: Chasing STIs

Study highlights global estimates of mortality related to 33 clinically significant bacterial pathogens

Study highlights global estimates of mortality related to 33 clinically significant bacterial pathogens

Study investigates spread of Klebsiella superbug between humans and the environment

Study investigates spread of Klebsiella superbug between humans and the environment

Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance; A Conversation with the World Health Organisation

Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance; A Conversation with the World Health Organisation