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Nosocomial meningitis and ventriculitis: clinic, diagnosis, prevention (literature review)

https://doi.org/10.24884/2078-5658-2025-22-3-108-118

Abstract

The objective was to summarize data from the literature on methods of diagnosis and prevention of nosocomial meningitis.

Nosocomial meningitis (NM) and ventriculitis are severe, often life-threatening complications in neurosurgery. Currently, postoperative meningitis, shunt infections, and drainage-associated ventriculitis are distinguished. For each of the above groups of diseases, there are specific diagnostic approaches, etiotropic agents, and treatments that differ significantly from community-acquired infections of the central nervous system. Pathogens are represented by a wide range of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms, which differ significantly from community-acquired ones. The diagnosis of NM is based mainly on clinical assessment and laboratory examination of cerebrospinal fluid. In most recommendations, there are no precise laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of NM, which is explained by the variability of shifts depending on the microorganism that caused the infection and on the individual characteristics of the patient, as well as the variety of clinical situations. NM prevention is based on minimizing risk factors, includes measures against endogenous and exogenous infection, and can be divided into three stages: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative. The development of criteria for NM and ventriculitis, the identification of risk factors remains an important problem that has not been definitively solved to date.

About the Authors

M. I. Aybazova
Polenov Russian Scientific Research Neurosurgical Institute – Branch of Almazov National Medical Research Center
Russian Federation

Aybazova Medina I.  - Anesthesiologist and Intensivist of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department

12, Mayakovskogo str., Saint Petersburg, 191014

 



N. V. Dryagina
Polenov Russian Scientific Research Neurosurgical Institute – Branch of Almazov National Medical Research Center
Russian Federation

 Dryagina Natal’ya V. - Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Head of Laboratory Diagnostics Department, Senior Research Fellow, Research Laboratory «Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Disorders»

12, Mayakovskogo str., Saint Petersburg, 191014



L. M. Tsentsiper
Polenov Russian Scientific Research Neurosurgical Institute – Branch of Almazov National; Almazov National Medical Research Centre; St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University; Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba
Russian Federation

Tsentsiper Lubov M.  - Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Professor of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department with the Сlinic of the Institute of Medical Education

2, Akkuratova str., Saint Petersburg, 197341



L. A. Shmidt
Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation

Shmidt Leonid A.  - Student of the Faculty of Medicine of the Institute of Medical Education

2, Akkuratova str., Saint Petersburg, 197341



N. V. Goncharuk
Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Russian Federation

 Goncharuk Nikita V. - Resident of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Department

2, Akkuratova str., Saint Petersburg, 197341

 



A. N. Kondratyev
Polenov Russian Scientific Research Neurosurgical Institute – Branch of Almazov National Medical Research Center
Russian Federation

 Kondratyev Anatoly N.  - Honored Physician of the Russian Federation, Dr. of Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Research Laboratory «Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Disorders»

12, Mayakovskogo str., Saint Petersburg, 191014



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Review

For citations:


Aybazova M.I., Dryagina N.V., Tsentsiper L.M., Shmidt L.A., Goncharuk N.V., Kondratyev A.N. Nosocomial meningitis and ventriculitis: clinic, diagnosis, prevention (literature review). Messenger of ANESTHESIOLOGY AND RESUSCITATION. 2025;22(3):108-118. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24884/2078-5658-2025-22-3-108-118



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