Escherichia coli meningitis

**Escherichia coli meningitis** is a severe, life-threatening bacterial infection of the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space caused by the gram-negative bacillus *Escherichia coli* Although it most frequently occurs in neonates—where it represents a leading cause of gram-negative neonatal meningitis—it can also develop in adults, typically in the context of neurosurgical procedures, head trauma, urinary tract sepsis, or immunocompromised states Pathophysiologically, the organism crosses the blo...

**Escherichia coli meningitis** is a severe, life-threatening bacterial infection of the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space caused by the gram-negative bacillus *Escherichia coli*

Although it most frequently occurs in neonates—where it represents a leading cause of gram-negative neonatal meningitis—it can also develop in adults, typically in the context of neurosurgical procedures, head trauma, urinary tract sepsis, or immunocompromised states Clinical manifestations range from fever, lethargy, poor feeding, and bulging fontanelles in neonates to classic meningeal signs—including high fever, nuchal rigidity, headache, altered mental status, and seizures—in older children ...

Although it most frequently occurs in neonates—where it represents a leading cause of gram-negative neonatal meningitis—it can also develop in adults, typically in the context of neurosurgical procedures, head trauma, urinary tract sepsis, or immunocompromised states Clinical manifestations range from fever, lethargy, poor feeding, and bulging fontanelles in neonates to classic meningeal signs—including high fever, nuchal rigidity, headache, altered mental status, and seizures—in older children ...

Although it most frequently occurs in neonates—where it represents a leading cause of gram-negative neonatal meningitis—it can also develop in adults, typically in the context of neurosurgical procedures, head trauma, urinary tract sepsis, or immunocompromised states

Pathophysiologically, the organism crosses the blood-brain barrier following bacteremic dissemination, triggering intense meningeal inflammation, cerebral edema, and elevated intracranial pressure

Clinical manifestations range from fever, lethargy, poor feeding, and bulging fontanelles in neonates to classic meningeal signs—including high fever, nuchal rigidity, headache, altered mental status, and seizures—in older children and adults