Abstract: Background and aim: Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a severe infectious disease that is endemic in Egypt. Great efforts are spent to provide continuous updates about its epidemiology and outcomes. The current study aimed to evaluate role of rapid reagent tests in the diagnosis of ABM.
Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional observational study. The study included 350 cases admitted with suspected meningitis. Lumbar puncture (LP): for collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. CSF examinations (physical, chemical, cytological and microbiological examinations) and rapid reagent test were done. Blood culture was done. MRI was performed before L.P for indicated cases. Detailed analysis of demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms & signs. Interpretation of the results of laboratory investigations. The causative microorganisms and prognosis of all ABM cases were studied.
Results: Preexisting illnesses presented in 74.5% of patients with ABM. 40% of the patients didn’t receive antibiotics before admission. 56.4% of the organisms were classified Streptococcus pneumonia (S. pneumonia), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Staphylococcus epidermis (S. epidermidis), group B streptococcus (GBS), and Enterococci Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). 43.6% of bacteria causing ABM were Neisseria meningitides (N. meningitides), Escherichia coli (E coli), Hemophilus influenza type b (Hib). ABM carried a high mortality rate (22.7%). ABM resulted in long term hazards in 21.8%. There was a highly significant positive correlation (P
Key words: Acute bacterial meningitis; pneumonia; etiology; prognosis
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