Bacterial meningitis antibiotic treatment

Arch Pediatr. 2017 Dec;24(12S):S42-S45. doi: 10.1016/S0929-693X(17)30518-3.

Abstract

The implementation of pneumococal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) 7 then 13 valent (Prevenar13®) in 2010-2011 has significantly changed the profile of pneumococcal meningitis. Since 3 years, the National Pediatric Meningitis Network of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP) and the National Reference Centre of Pneumococci have reported no cases of meningitis due to pneumococcus resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (3GC): cefotaxime or ceftriaxone. In the light of these new data, vancomycin should no longer be prescribed at the initial phase of pneumococcal meningitis treatment (confirmed or only suspected) and this antibiotic should only be added when 3GC minimum inhibitory concentration of the strain isolated is greater than 0.5mg/L. For meningococcal meningitis, nearly 20% of strains have decreased susceptibility to penicillin and amoxicillin, but all remain susceptible to 3GC. The National Pediatric Meningitis Network is a valuable tool because it has been sufficiently exhaustive and sustainable over 15 years. Maintaining this epidemiologic surveillance will allow us to adapt, if necessary, new regimens for subsequent changes that could be induced by vaccination and/or antibiotic uses.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / drug therapy*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents