Specific Antibiotics for Acute Bacterial Meningitis

Bacteria

Age Group

Antibiotics*

Comments

Gram-positive bacteria (unidentified)

Children and adults

plus

Gram-negative bacilli (unidentified)

Children and adults

plus

Haemophilus influenzae type b

Children and adults

Neisseria meningitidis

Children and adults

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Children and adults

Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis

Children and adults

Listeria species

Children and adults

or

Enteric gram-negative bacteria (eg, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Proteus species)

Children and adults

plus

Pseudomonas species

Children and adults

or

* Alternative antibiotics are in parentheses.

Listeria species.

Pseudomonas meningitis. When aminoglycosides are used, renal function should be monitored.