The treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis--old regime or newer drugs?

Currently intravenous ceftazidime with or without an aminoglycoside or alternatively ciprofloxacin are the recommended antibiotics of choice in Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis. A case of atraumatic, spontaneous Ps. aeruginosa meningitis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is described. Despite the organism demonstrating in vitro sensitivity to ceftazidime, netilmicin and ciprofloxacin, intravenous therapy with these drugs failed to sterilise the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Both netilmicin and ciprofloxacin failed to attain therapeutic levels in the CSF. Intrathecal aminoglycoside therapy via an intraventricular reservoir was successful in eradicating the infection. In children with meningitis due to Ps. aeruginosa where intravenous therapy is unsuccessful despite in vitro sensitivity to recommended antibiotics; intraventricular medications should be commenced as soon as possible.