Table 3 Characteristics of diabetic patients with meningitis (n = 46)

Median age in years (IQR)

69 (59–74)

Laboratory features

Symptoms <24 hours

30/45 (65%)

   CSF WBC <1000/mm³

10/46 (23%)

Predisposing conditions

   Blood glucose ≥ 7.8 mmol/L (≥ 140 mg/dL)

40 (87%)

   Distant focus of infection*

33/46 (72%)

   Blood glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L (≥ 200 mg/dL)

32 (70%)

   Otitis/sinusitis

15/46 (33%)

   Positive blood culture

25/46 (57%)

   Pneumonia

5/46 (11%)

Causative organism

Symptoms and signs

   S. pneumoniae

31/46 (67%)

   Headache

33/41 (81%)

   N. meningitidis

6/46 (13%)

   Neck stiffness

34/44 (77%)

   Listeria monocytogenes

6/46 (13%)

   Temperature >38°C

38/46 (83%)

   Group B streptococci

2/46 (4%)

   GCS <14

35/45 (78%)

   Escherichia coli

1/46 (2%)

   Score on GCS <8

14/44 (31%)

Favorable outcome

22/46 (48%)

   Focal neurologic deficits^#

24/46 (52%)

Death

15/46 (33%)