Table 2

Clinical and microbiological details of 52 children with suspected CNS infection and 43 with meningococccal septicaemia

Initial Clinical Impression
LP Performed
LP Not performed




No. of patients
CSF findings and microbiology results
No. of patients
Microbiology results



Suspected meningoencephalitis, no rash
14
Pleocytosis, N. meningitidis in CSF [2]*
8
N. meningitidis in BC & PCR [1]


Pleocytosis, N. meningitidis in BC [1]

N. meningitidis by PCR [1]


Pleocytosis, E. coli in CSF [1]




Pleocytosis, cultures negative [2]


Suspected meningitis with meningococcal rash
1
Pleocytosis, cultures negative [1]
12#
N. meningitidis in BC (6, including 4 PCR +)




N. meningitidis by PCR [2]




H. Influenzae in endotracheal aspirate [1]
Septic screen in infants <6 months old
10
CSF normal
7
E. coli in BC [1]
Meningococcal septicaemia (LP Contraindicated)
0

43
N. meningitidis in BC (7, including 5 PCR +)




N. meningitidis by PCR [10]




N. meningitidis by antigen test only [3]

* Numbers of patients in brackets # 5 patients had contraindications to LP, (all were shocked, and 2 had deep come): 2 with BC, and 1 with PCR positive for N meningitidis BC = blood cultures, CSF = cerebrospinal fluid, WBC = white blood cells PCR was only performed on blood

Kneen et al. BMC Pediatrics 2002 2:8   doi:10.1186/1471-2431-2-8