Bacterial meningitis historical perspective
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Bacterial meningitis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Historical perspective
The major advancements in the history of bacterial meningitis may be summarized as follows:[1]
- Meningitis may have been described in the Middle Ages, but it was first accurately identified by the Swiss Vieusseux (a scientific-literary association) during an outbreak in Geneva, Switzerland in 1805.
- In 1661, Thomas Willis first described the inflammation of meninges and an epidemic of meningitis.
- In the 17th century, Robert Whytt provided a detailed explanation of tuberculous meningitis and its stages. This was further elaborated by John Cheyne in the same century.
- Meningococcal meningitis was than described by Gaspard Vieusseux, Andre Matthey in Geneva and Elisa North in Massachussetes
- In 1891, Heinrich Quincke provided an early analysis of CSF by introducing a new technique of lumbar puncture.
- In early 19th century, detailed profile of CSF analysis in meningitis was explained by William Mestrezat, and H. Houston Merritt.
- In the late nineteenth century, causative organisms for bacterial meningitis was identified which includes Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae
- Advancements regarding the treatment of bacterial meningitis was given by Georg Joachmann in Germany and Simon Flexnor in USA in 18th and 19th century respectively
- Francois Schwentker introduced the use of sulfonamides for the treatment of meningitis in the 20th century
- Penicillin use was introduced by Chester Keefer in the 20th century
- In the 20th century, another remarkable achievement was attained by introduction of vaccine agianst N. meningitidis and H. Influenza
References
- ↑ Tyler KL (2010). "Chapter 28: a history of bacterial meningitis". Handb Clin Neurol. 95: 417–33. doi:10.1016/S0072-9752(08)02128-3. PMID 19892131.