Bacterial meningitis (not otherwise specified)
Clinical criteria
Any person with the following clinical picture: bacterial meningitis manifests most commonly with fever, headache, and a stiff neck; the disease may progress rapidly to shock and death. However, other manifestations may be observed.
Laboratory criteria for a confirmed case
At least one of the following two:
- Isolation of a bacterial species from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Detection of a bacterial species nucleic acid from CSF
Laboratory criteria for a probable case
At least one of the following two:
- Detection of bacteria in CSF by microscopy e.g. Gram stain
- CSF white cell count (WCC) differential, protein and glucose levels consistent with bacterial meningitis
Epidemiological criteria
NA
Case classification
A. Possible case
Any person meeting the clinical criteria
B. Probable case
Any person meeting the clinical criteria and the laboratory criteria for a probable case
C. Confirmed case
Any person meeting the laboratory criteria for a confirmed case
Note:
1. Exceptions: Nosocomial bacterial meningitis directly related to invasive procedures (e.g. craniotomy, placement of internal or external ventricular catheters, lumbar puncture, intrathecal infusions of medications, or spinal anesthesia), complicated head trauma, or in rare cases, metastatic infection in patients with hospital-acquired bacteremia is not notifiable. These cases of meningitis are caused by a different spectrum of microorganisms than cases acquired in the community setting, and illness is the result of diverse pathogenic mechanisms.
2. Notification of specified diseases causing meningitis: If a diagnosis of meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus Group B infection (invasive) or another listed bacterial pathogen has been made (even if they are considered to be a nosocomial case), please see the case definition for the particular disease/pathogen and notify under the relevant disease.
Current as of: 24 January 2019