Table 5 Differential diagnostic recommendations for suspected bacterial meningitis

S. pneumoniae

Neonates

(very rare)

N

N

> 7 days

NS

Paediatric

P

P

P

P

NS

1–12 months

≥ 3 months

P

P

> 3 months

> 2 years

NS

Adults

A

A

A

A

A

NS

A

A

A

A

A

NS

N. meningitidis

Neonates

N

NS

Paediatric

P

P

P

P

NS

> 12 months

≥ 3 months

P

P

> 3 months

> 2 years

NS

Adults

A

(less common)

A

A

A

NS

A

A

A

A

A

NS

S. agalactiae

Neonates

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

≤ 7 days

NS

Paediatric

< 3 months

< 24 months

< 3 months

NS

Adults

A

(rare)

A

NS

H. influenzae

Neonates

NS

Paediatric

P

(unvaccinated)

NS

≥ 3 months

< 24 months

3 months to 5 years

NS

Adults

(rare)

(rare)

A

(rare)

A

NS

A

A

NS

L. monocytogenes

Neonates

(rare)

N

N

N

N

N

> 7 days

NS

Paediatric

P

≤ 3 months

NS

Adults

A

> 50 years

A

(rare)

A

A

> 60 years

> 50 years

> 50 years

NS

E. coli

Neonates

N

N

N

N

N

N

≤ 7 days

NS

Paediatric

P

< 3 months (rare)

< 24 months

NS

Adults

A

A

> 50^#

NS

Klebsiella spp.

Neonates

N

≤ 7 days

NS

Paediatric

P

Adults

A

A^{^}

Enterobacter spp.

Neonates

Paediatric

P

Adults

A

A

A

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Neonates

≤ 7 days

Paediatric

P

Adults

A

A

A^{^}

A

Proteus mirabilis

Neonates

Paediatric

P

Adults

A

Salmonella spp.

Neonates

≤ 7 days

Paediatric

Adults

S. aureus

Neonates

(very rare)

Paediatric

P

Adults

A

A (rare)

A

A