Home Research MeninGene & SMS study Include in SMS

Serial Meningitis Sampling (SMS) substudy

In some hospitals where the MeninGene study is conducted, the Serial Meningitis Sampling (SMS) sub-study is also ongoing. Therefore, patients in these hospitals can be included in both the MeninGene and SMS sub-studies.

In- and exclusion criteria

In the MeninGene SMS study, all patients with a high suspicion of bacterial meningitis based on clinical presentation and typical abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or a positive Gram stain of the CSF, can be included. Patients must be enrolled within 24-48 hours of admission by contacting the SMS MeninGene investigators. If uncertain, please consult to determine eligibility for inclusion.

Inclusion criteria:
Patients aged 16 years or older with clinical suspicion of bacterial meningitis and typical CSF abnormalities:

  •      CSF glucose <1.9 mmol/L, or
  •      blood:CSF glucoseratio <0.23, or
  •      CSF protein level >2.20 g/L, or
  •      celcount CSF >1000 cells/3mm3, or
  •      a positive gram stain of CSF

Exclusion criteria:

  • Neurosurgical procedure within the last month preceding the onset of meningitis
  • Neurotrauma requiring hospitalization within the last month prior to this episode of meningitis
  • Presence of a cerebrospinal fluid drain or neurostimulator in the central nervous system

Practical procedure (SMS + MeninGene)

  1. Patients with a high suspicion of bacterial meningitis are eligible for the study if they are admitted to a hospital participating in the SMS MeninGene study (see below for list of participating centers).
     

  2. You call us to enroll the patient in the study as soon as possible after the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis (06-38437975 (24/7)). Inclusion can occur up to 48 hours after starting antibiotics.
     

  3. You inform the patient (or their representative) and obtain informed consent for both the main MeninGene study and the SMS sub-study.
     

  4. You collect blood samples from the patient on days 0, 1, 2, and 7 (see complete study kit on the ward). The blood samples can be submitted to your hospital's laboratory after collection.
     

  5. During the hospitalization, you also collect blood samples for the MeninGene study.
     

  6. You fill out the Case Record Form (via Castor database). After logging in, you can create a "New Record". Use the study number from the study kit for both Record ID and Study Number. Email meningitis@amsterdamumc.nl to gain access to the database if you haven't already.
     

  7. Three months after discharge, the patient returns to the outpatient clinic for the 5th blood draw.
     

  8. As a token of appreciation, we will send you a bottle of wine and/or a chocolate bar!

See lab forms and photos below for the required collection tubes.

             

NB. Please include MeninGene-SMS study number, patient's date of birth, and collection date on patient materials.

Required Forms for Inclusion in MeninGene - SMS

See Dutch forms