[Metronidazole concentration of the cerebrospinal fluid from slightly inflamed meninges].

The concentrations of metronidazole (Clont i.v.) in the cerebrospinal fluid were measured in 12 patients with viral meningitis or subsiding bacterial meningitis after a single infusion of 500 mg lasting 20 min. 1 h after infusion the CSF-concentrations were between 2,3 micrograms/ml and 7,4 micrograms/ml and 2 h after infusion between 6,5 micrograms/ml and 8,6 micrograms/ml. They attained 45,9% respectively 75,9% of the corresponding serum concentrations. Because the minimal inhibitory concentrations of the most important obligate anaerobic gram-negative bacteria are attained, it appears that metronidazole can be used for the treatment of bacterial meningitis caused by these pathogens.