Complement factor H contributes to mortality in humans and mice with bacterial meningitis

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of 1009 episodes of community-acquired bacterial meningitis^a

Clinical characteristics	n/N (%)
Age (years)	60 (45–69)
Male	509 (49%)
Predisposing conditions	580/1009 (57%)
Otitis or sinusitis	329/1007 (24%)
Pneumonia	90/975 (9%)
Immunocompromised state b)	258/1009 (26%)
Symptoms and signs at admission
Symptoms < 24 h	452/973 (46%)
Headache	742/891 (83%)
Neck stiffness	722/956 (76%)
Temp > 38 °C	757/1002 (76%)
Score on Glasgow coma scale c)	11 (9–14)
< 8 indicating coma	135/1008 (13%)
CSF values d)
White blood cell count (/μl)	2497 (561–7561)
Protein (g/l)	3.82 (2.30–5.99)
CSF/blood glucose ratio	0.03 (0.00–0.25)
Causative pathogen
S. pneumoniae	727 (72%)
N. meningitidis	111 (11%)
Other	171 (17%)
Score on Glasgow outcome scale
1—death	182 (18%)
2—vegetative state	1 (0.1%)
3—severe disability	48 (5%)
4—moderate disability	160 (16%)
5—good recovery	618 (61%)

^aData are number/number evaluated (%) or median (interquartile range).
^bImmunocompromise was defined by the use of immunosuppressive drugs, a history of splenectomy, or the presence of diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, as well as patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
^cScore on the Glasgow Coma Scale Score was evaluated in 1008 patients
^dCSF white blood cell count was determined in 970 patients, CSF proteins levels in 963 patients and the CSF/blood glucose ratio in 946 patients

ISSN: 1742-2094