Meningitis

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. Although the most common causes are infection (bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic), chemical agents and even tumor cells may cause meningitis. Encephalitis and brain abscess can complicate infective meningitis.

Epidemiology

20,000 to 25,000 cases of bacterial meningitis are seen in the United States every year. In developing countries, the incidence is probably higher. Mostly adults are infected, where it can be community acquired or nosocomial. Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae has reduced the incidence in children.

Related Topics:
United States - Haemophilus influenzae

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Meningitis may occur in outbreaks in communities who have close contact with each other, such as in dorms or military establishments. In the large majority of such outbreaks, neisseria meningitidis is the etiologic agent.

Related Topics:
Neisseria meningitidis - Etiologic

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The African Meningitis Belt

The "Meningitis Belt" is an area in sub-Saharan Africa which stretches from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east in which large epidemics of meningococcal meningitis occur. It contains an estimated total population of 300 million people. The largest epidemic outbreak was in 1996, when over 250,000 cases occurred and 25,000 people died as a consequence of the disease.

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