The TOTEM study is a single-center study designed to evaluate the performance of the D-lactate assay in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the diagnosis of ventriculostomy-related nosocomial meningitis. The study will be conducted in the neurosurgical intensive care unit of the Toulouse University Hospital, in patients with a suspected diagnosis of ventriculostomy-related nosocomial meningitis.
Age ⩾ 18 years.
Patient with an external ventriculostomy implanted at the Toulouse University Hospital.
Patient suspected of nosocomial meningitis due to a febrile syndrome (in the absence of any other identified infectious site), headache, nausea, lethargy, change in neurological status, meningeal syndrome, epileptic event and cutaneous or subcutaneous inflammation at the ventriculostomy site of insertion.
Patient having expressed oral consent, after free and informed information.
Diagnosis of community meningitis.
Proven or suspected meningitis and/or ventriculitis during the previous month.
Diagnosis of nosocomial meningitis made in another medical centre prior to admission.
Short bowel syndrome.