SALMONELLA MENINGITIS IN INFANCY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION THE MORTALITY in Salmonella meningitis is high. In a large group reviewed by Henderson, 1 in 1948, there was an 87.5% mortality. However, it was pointed out that the sulfonamides had favorably affected the course of the illness in that there were 10 survivals in 19 cases that had received the drug. In the group cited by Beene, 2 in 1951, the majority of which had occurred subsequent to the advent of antibiotics, there was an 82.7% mortality. However, the most recent cases seemed to show an increase in the survival rate with the use of broad antibiotic coverage. A recent case of Salmonella meningitis at Childrens Hospital aroused my interest in the problem. Since 1943, six children have been admitted with proved Salmonella meningitis. A survey of the recent English literature revealed 10 additional cases.* This article is concerned with this group of 16 cases and the effect