Introduction

Acute infections of the nervous system have always remained a major cause of death and disability for millions of people around the world, despite decades of dramatic progress in their treatment and prevention. Each infectious disease can cause a spectrum of illnesses, (particularly those with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, cardiopulmonary disorders etc) posing great challenge to Physician’s diagnostic skills, thus making their early recognition and rapid institution of therapy, essential for lifesaving.⁴

Meningitis remains an important cause of CNS infection in developing country like India with high mortality and morbidity. Meningitis is an inflammation of the leptomeninges and underlying subarachnoid CSF. Most cases of meningitis are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites that spread into blood and CSF. In the above context, meningitis has been divided into two groups, namely – Pyogenic Meningitis (Bacterial Meningitis) and Non-Pyogenic Meningitis (Tuberculous, Viral, Fungal etc.).¹⁵

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Dr Gagan Gunjan (MD.Gen, Medicine)