Clinical Features and Imaging Abnormalities of Escherichia coli Meningitis: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

This study focuses on the clinical characteristics and risk factors for imaging abnormalities in pediatric pyogenic meningitis caused by Escherichia coli (E coli). Analyzing 321 confirmed cases from multiple centers, it found that 98.8% of patients were aged 1 year or younger, with imaging abnormalities present in 63.5%, primarily subdural effusion/abscess, hydrocephalus/ventricular dilation, and intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariate analysis identified low initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose concentration (<1.96 mmol/L) and neurological symptoms lasting more than one week as independent predictors of imaging abnormalities, which were associated with poorer clinical outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of early CSF analysis and neuroimaging for timely diagnosis and treatment to improve prognosis in infants with E coli meningitis.