Ameliorative effects of ceftriaxone sodium combined with dexamethasone on infantile purulent meningitis and associated effects on brain‑derived neurotrophic factor levels

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of ceftriaxone sodium combined with dexamethasone on the treatment of infant purulent meningitis (PM) and to measure brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in children with PM. Of the 177 patients enrolled into the present study, 92 patients received ceftriaxone sodium+dexamethasone (combination group) and 85 patients received ceftriaxone sodium alone (monotherapy group). The time taken for the body temperature, peripheral blood (PB) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts to recover back to normal levels were compared between the two groups. In addition, changes in the CSF WBC counts, CSF protein and sugar concentrations, BDNF levels, effective treatment rates and incidence of adverse reactions three days before treatment (T1), after one week of treatment (T2) and after two weeks of treatment (T3) were compared between the two groups. In the combination group, the recovery time of body temperature, WBC counts in both PB and CSF were significantly lower compared with those in the monotherapy group. The combination group also exhibited lower CSF protein concentrations and higher CSF sugar concentrations at T2 and T3 compared with those in the monotherapy group (P<0.05). The effective treatment rate of the combination group was significantly higher compared with that of the monotherapy group (P= 0.006). CSF protein at T1, T2 T3, and CSF sugar concentrations and BDNF levels at T1 were significantly lower in the combination group than in the monotherapy group (P<0.05) while the CSF sugar concentrations at T2, T3 were higher in the combination group than in the monotherapy group (P<0.05). Taken together, these observations suggest that ceftriaxone combined with dexamethasone was superior compared with that of ceftriaxone alone for the treatment of infantile PM, and that this combination therapy may improve the effective treatment rate and accelerate patient rehabilitation.

Recurrent bacterial meningitis caused by incomplete Type I inner ear malformation: A case report

“…Purulent meningitis is a central nervous system infection caused by different bacteria, and both the brain and spinal cord can be involved. In recent years, the incidence of purulent meningitis in children has been higher than in adults 1–4 . Therefore, it is of great importance for suppurative meningitis in adults, especially recurrent meningitis, to find and treat the cause of recurrent infection.…”

“…In recent years, the incidence of purulent meningitis in children has been higher than in adults. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 Therefore, it is of great importance for suppurative meningitis in adults, especially recurrent meningitis, to find and treat the cause of recurrent infection. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a common indication of skull base lesions.…”