Abstract
To improve the prognosis of bacterial meningitis much interest has been focussed on the therapeutic effect of antiinflammatory drugs. Several forms of additional therapy have been studied mainly in an experimental animal setting. Possible candidates for such treatment are glucocorticosteroids, pentoxifylline and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds. Natural inhibitors of cytokines and monoclonal antibodies against endotoxin, cytokines and leukocyte-adhesion molecules are also studied. The main purpose of all these compounds is to modify the inflammatory response, in particular the influx of leukocytes and plasma-exudate in the subarachnoid space. Vaccination can prevent the development of bacterial meningitis. Current vaccines available are against Haemophilus type b, pneumococci and meningococci A and C. However, no vaccine against meningococci serogroup B is developed yet.
| Translated title of the contribution | New insights in the pathogenesis, the role of non antibiotic therapy and prevention of bacterial meningitis |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 191-194 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Kindergeneeskunde |
| Volume | 63 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1995 |