Clinical and biological features of enteroviral meningitis among adults and children and factors associated with severity and length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Enterovirus (EV) meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Clinical and biological manifestations may be non-specific, leading to prolonged and costly investigations.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the different aspects of EV meningitis and the variables associated with length of stay (LOS) in hospital independently of patients' age.

STUDY DESIGN: Single center retrospective study of all EV PCR positive CSF samples during 3.5 years in Bordeaux University Hospital, France.

RESULTS: 172 patients were included. 65 were under 3 years old and 49 over 18 years old. 10% of patients had severe forms of the disease. 47 patients (27.3%) had normal CSF count and in 63 patients (36.6%) polynuclear cells predominated in CSF. Procalcitonin, Hoens' score or PCR in stool samples appeared as good markers for enteroviral diagnosis. Time elapsed before PCR results was associated with LOS (p = .002) and should help in limiting investigations in case of aseptic meningitis.

CONCLUSION: Rapid availability of EV PCR reduces LOS for patients and contributes to diminish unnecessary procedures and further tests.