Steroids Can Improve Survival in Adults with Meningitis

Since the late 1980s, data from randomized clinical trials have shown that early adjuvant therapy with corticosteroids can be beneficial for bacterial meningitis in children. This approach has not been adopted in adults, however, because data showing safety and efficacy are lacking. Now, European investigators report the results of a manufacturer-supported trial showing that early dexamethasone treatment benefits adult patients with pneumococcal meningitis. Between June 1993 and December 2001, 301 adult patients with suspected bacterial meningitis were randomized to receive either placebo or 10 mg of dexamethasone intravenously every 6 hours for 4 days, beginning 15 to 20 minutes before the first dose of antibiotic.

At 8 weeks postenrollment…