Fig. 1
From: SOP: emergency workup in patients with suspected acute bacterial meningitis
Clinical pathway for a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis in the emergency department. * in countries with a critical occurrence of cephalosporine-resistant S. pneumoniae, vancomycin or rifampicin are added to the antibiotic regimen (see recommendations of local authorities). ** if herpes simplex virus encephalitis is among the possible differential diagnoses *** general contraindications for lumbar puncture such as bleeding disorders need to be considered before lumbar puncture