Comparison of the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis (CA-KPM) with those of community-acquired Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis (CA-SPM). Eighty-three adult patients, 27 with CA-KPM and 56 with CA-SPM, were included. Diabetes mellitus (48.1% versus 21.4%; P = 0.01) and liver cirrhosis (22.2% versus 5.4%; P = 0.05) were more commonly associated with CA-KPM. Comatose mental status (40.7% versus 12.5%; P = 0.01), septic shock (44.4% versus 8.9%; P < 0.001), and concomitant extrameningeal infections (40.7% versus 7.1%; P = 0.001) were also more common in the CA-KPM group. The 28-day mortality (44.4% versus 10.7%; P < 0.001) and inhospital mortality (51.9% versus 14.3%; P < 0.001) were higher in the CA-KPM group. In conclusion, diabetes mellitus and liver cirrhosis are more common in the CA-KPM patients who were also more likely to present with severe manifestations and poor outcomes.