The duration of antimicrobial therapy in the patient with bacterial meningitis has often been based more on tradition than on evidence-based data [117, 118]. Our recommendations are shown in table 8. However, it must be emphasized that these guidelines are not standardized and that the duration of therapy may need to be individualized on the basis of the patient's clinical response. Pending further data, intravenous antimicrobial therapy is recommended for the duration of treatment to ensure that adequate CSF concentrations of specific antimicrobial agents are attained.