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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of cerebrovascular CO reactivity (CO R) in the course and outcome of inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Sixty-eight patients with inflammatory CNS diseases and 30 healthy volunteers were included in this prospective observational cohort study. The observational period was between January 2005 and May 2009. The CO R was measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound using the breath-holding method. We compared patients with normal CO R (breath-holding index [BHI] ≥ 1.18 = BHI group) with patients who showed impaired CO R (BHI < 1.18 = BHI group). We also analyzed the association of impaired CO R with the etiology, severity, and outcome of disease. When compared to the BHI group, the patients from the BHI group were older, had a heavier consciousness disturbance, experienced more frequent respiratory failure, and, subsequently, had worse outcomes. There were no fatalities among the 28 patients in the BHI group. The comparison of subjects with bacterial and non-bacterial meningitis revealed no significant differences. The unfavorable outcome of disease (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score 1-3) was significantly more common in subjects with impaired CO R (62.5% vs. 10.7%). Logistic regression analysis was performed in order to establish the prognostic value of BHI. The outcome variable was unfavorable outcome (GOS 1-3), while the independent variables were age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and BHI. The age and BHI showed the strongest influence on disease outcome. A decrease of BHI for each 0.1 unit increased the risk of unfavorable outcome by 17%. Our study emphasizes the importance of CO R assessment in patients with inflammatory CNS diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic approach to adult patients with bacterial meningitis, the overall mortality rate is still high. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibiotic timing in the course and outcome of bacterial meningitis. Two hundred and eighty six patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis aged 14 years and more were included in this retrospective cohort study. Observational period was between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2004. To assess the association of antibiotic timing and disease outcome we analyzed three timing periods (according to the onset of disease, onset of consciousness disturbance and the time of admission to hospital). Analysis was also performed in a subgroup of culture positive meningitis in 176 patients with altered mental status. Unfavorable outcome was found in 125 (43,7%) patients. In this group, the start of appropriate antibiotic treatment in relation to the onset of first symptoms and particularly to the onset of consciousness disturbance was significantly delayed (p = 0.018 and p < 0.001, respectively) compared to the favorable group. Logistic regression analysis in a subgroup of culture positive meningitis in patients with altered mental status revealed that early adequate antibiotic treatment related to the onset of overt signs of meningitis was independently associated with favorable outcome (OR = 11.19; 95% CI 4.37–32.57; p < 0.001). Advanced age, lower GCS and seizures (OR = 1.05, OR = 1.45 and OR = 3.65, respectively) were other risk factors of poor outcome. The presence of chronic diseases, pneumococcal etiology and clinical and laboratory variables which are indicators of disease severity (renal and/or liver dysfunction, hypotension and low cerebrospinal fluid glucose) were not confirmed as independent risk factors of poor outcome. Our study emphasizes the importance of early and adequate antibiotic treatment in the management of bacterial meningitis which significantly enhances the chances for favorable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]