MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Meningitis

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Meningitis - staphylococcal

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Central nervous system

Alternative names Return to top

Staphylococcal meningitis

Definition Return to top

Staphylococcal meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord caused by staphylococcus bacteria.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Meningitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus or S. epidermidis usually develops as a complication of a surgical procedure, or as an infection spread by the blood from another site.

Risk factors include recent brain surgery, previous meningitis associated with spinal fluid shunts, infections of heart valves, or previous infection of the brain itself.

Symptoms Return to top

Fever
Severe headache
Nausea and vomiting
Stiff neck
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Rash

Signs and tests Return to top

Elevated white blood cell count in blood and spinal fluid
Spinal fluid stains and culture showing bacteria
Blood culture growing staphylococcus

Treatment Return to top

Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible to decrease the chances of serious illness or death. Often, treatment of the infection will include a search for a removal of possible sources of the bacteria in the body such as shunts or artificial heart valves.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

This form of infection in people with depressed immune systems can be very serious and often leads to death. Recognition of symptoms of meningitis is very important to prevent serious illness.

Staphyloccocal meningitis often improves more rapidly with better outcomes if the source of the infection (shunts, hardware in joints, or artificial heart valves) is removed.

Complications Return to top

These patients may develop a brain infection or staph infections at other body sites. Excessive bleeding and shock may develop.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms of meningitis occur. This disorder can be life-threatening.

Prevention Return to top

Prophylactic (preventive) use of antibiotics in high-risk people before diagnostic or surgical procedures may help to reduce risk in certain situations. Discuss this with your doctor.

Update Date: 7/12/2004

Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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