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Meningitis - pneumococcal - Overview

Alternative Names

Pneumococcal meningitis

Definition of Meningitis - pneumococcal:

Pneumococcal meningitis is a bacterial inflammation or infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pneumococcal meningitis is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called pneumococcus). The bacteria is the most common cause of meningitis in adults, and the second most common cause of meningitis in children older than age 6.

Risk factors include:

Alcohol use
Diabetes
History of meningitis
Infection of a heart valve
Injury or trauma to the head
Meningitis in which there is leakage of spinal fluid
Recent ear infection
Recent pneumonia
Recent upper respiratory infection
Spleen removal

Pneumococci organism

Pneumococcal pneumonia

Reviewed last on: 9/28/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Swartz MN. Meningitis: bacterial, viral, and other. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 437.

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