Escherichia Coli Meningitis Features in 325 Children From 2001 to 2013 in France

Background. We aimed to describe features of Escherichia coli meningitis in a large population of children and the molecular characteristics of the involved strains to determine factors associated with severe disease or death. Methods. Between 2001 and 2013, a prospective national survey collected data for 325 children hospitalized with E. coli meningitis. The national reference center genetically characterized 141 isolates. Results. Among the 325 cases, 65.2% were term, 22.4% late preterm, and 12.5% very/extremely preterm infants. Escherichia coli meningitis was 7-fold more frequent in preterm than term infants. Median age at diagnosis was 14 days; 71.1% of infants were neonates, with 2 peaks of infection at age 0-3 days (mostly preterm neonates) and 11-15 days (mostly term neonates); 8.9% were >89 days old. In total, 51.1% patients were considered to have severe disease, and 9.2% died. B2.1 phylogenetic subgroup (56%) and O1 serogroup (27.7%) were the most frequently identified. On multivariate analysis, death was associated with preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 3.3 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.3-8.4], P = .015 for late preterm infants; OR, 7.3 [95% CI, 2.7-20.9], P < .001 for very/extremely preterm infants) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to blood glucose ratio <0.10 (OR, 15.3 [95% CI, 1.8-128.3], P = .012). Death was associated with uncommon O serogroup strains (P = .014) and severe disease with O7 serogroup (P = .034) and PapGII adhesin (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.2-4.5], P = .015). Conclusions. In this large study of 325 cases of E. coli meningitis, risk factors of severe disease or death were preterm birth, severe hypoglycorrhachia, CSF/blood glucose ratio <0.10, and molecular characteristics of strains, which should help optimize therapeutic management.