The effect of HIV infection on paediatric bacterial meningitis in Blantyre, Malawi.

Aim: To compare presentation, progress, and outcome of acute bacterial meningitis in HIV seropositive and seronegative children.

Methods: A double blind randomised placebo controlled study of the use of dexamethasone as adjuvant therapy in acute bacterial meningitis, in children aged 2 months to 13 years, was carried out from July 1997 to March 2001. A total of 598 children were enrolled, of whom 459 were tested for HIV serostatus.