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Pyogenic meningitis in Ilesa, Nigeria

T A Ogunlesi1, J A O Okeniyi, O A Oyelami

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. tinuade_ogunlesi@yahoo.co.uk

Indian Pediatrics
|November 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study on childhood meningitis in Nigeria found Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae as leading causes. Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin showed high effectiveness against common bacterial isolates.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Meningitis remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
  • Understanding the specific etiological agents and their antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment, especially in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes (etiology) of meningitis in children.
  • To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated pathogens.
  • To review the outcomes, including mortality and neurological sequelae, in affected children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 124 children diagnosed with meningitis at a Nigerian tertiary health facility.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed using Gram staining and culture.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on isolated bacterial pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Culture-positive results were obtained in 78.27% of cases.
  • The most common bacterial isolates were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (33.9% each), followed by Neisseria meningitidis (5.6%).
  • All isolates demonstrated 100% sensitivity to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, contrasting with low sensitivity to penicillin and ampicillin. Mortality was 26.6%, with 17.6% of survivors experiencing neurological sequelae.

Conclusions:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the primary bacterial causes of meningitis in this Nigerian cohort.
  • Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin are effective empirical treatment options for childhood meningitis in this region.
  • High mortality and significant rates of neurological sequelae underscore the severity of the disease and the need for prompt, appropriate management.

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