A 20 year old patient presented to the ER with headache, stiff neck and fever for 3 days and is diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Which one of the following antibiotics is the best choice to treat meningitis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is Cefotaxime (C) because it is a third-generation cephalosporin with excellent penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid, making it effective against bacterial meningitis pathogens. Cefotaxime covers a broad spectrum of bacteria commonly causing meningitis, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis.
A: Cefuroxime (A) is not the best choice as it has limited activity against some of the common pathogens causing meningitis.
B: Cephalexin (B) is a first-generation cephalosporin with poor central nervous system penetration and limited activity against meningitis pathogens.
D: Cefdinir (D) is a third-generation cephalosporin but is not the preferred choice for treating bacterial meningitis due to its inferior CNS penetration compared to cefotaxime.