Clinical variation in the early assessment and management of suspected community-acquired meningitis: a multicentre retrospective study.

Background: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency and timely management has been shown to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the early assessment and management of adults with suspected community-onset meningitis between hospitals and identify opportunities for clinical practice improvement.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at three principal referral hospitals in Sydney, Australia.

Case report of a man with HIV presenting with malignant syphilis.

Background: Malignant syphilis is a rare manifestation of secondary syphilis and is commonly associated with human immunodeficiency virus coinfection. It can present with multiorgan involvement, which poses a diagnostic dilemma to clinicians.

Methods: We report a case of a middle aged male who presented with near complete vision loss in his right eye with initial concern for fungal endophthalmitis due to his injecting drug use history.

The impact of cerebrospinal fluid viral polymerase chain reaction testing on the management of adults with viral meningitis: A multi-center retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in patients with aseptic meningitis and identify opportunities for improvement in clinical management. All cerebrospinal fluid samples collected in 1 year from four teaching hospitals in Sydney, Australia, were reviewed. Patients with aseptic meningitis were selected, and clinical and diagnostic features, hospital length of stay (LOS), and treatment were analyzed.