predisposition to pneumococcal meningitis

Last reviewed 01/2018

Vulnerability to strep pneumoniae meningitis is as follows:-

  • pneumonia - in 15 to 25% of patients
  • otitis media - in 30%
  • sinusitis
  • head injury, CSF fistula, leak - 10%
  • alcoholism - cirrhosis with or without peritonitis - 20 to 35%
  • sickle cell, thalassaemia
  • nephrotic syndrome
  • CLL
  • asplenic states
  • Wiskott-Aldrick syndrome
  • multiple myeloma
  • extremes of age.