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Antibiogram profile of septic meningitis among children in Duhok, Iraq
Abdulrahman T Saadi1, Nadir A Garjees, Aveen H Rasool
1Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Iraq. E-mail. abdulrahman.saadi@uod.ac.
Insights
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the primary cause of bacterial meningitis in children in Duhok, Iraq. Vancomycin is highly effective against S. pneumoniae, while resistance varies for other bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations worldwide.
- Understanding local etiological patterns and antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of pediatric patients with suspected meningitis.
- To analyze the antibiogram profile of isolated bacteria to guide empirical antibiotic therapy.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted from January 2014 to January 2016.
- Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from 432 pediatric patients suspected of meningitis.
- Bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing were performed on all samples.
Main Results:
- Out of 432 CSF samples, 33 (7.6%) were culture-positive for bacteria.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated pathogen (18 cases).
- Gram-negative bacilli showed 100% sensitivity to imipenem and amikacin, while S. pneumoniae demonstrated 100% sensitivity to vancomycin.
Conclusions:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading bacterial cause of meningitis in children in Duhok, Iraq.
- Vancomycin is a highly effective antibiotic against S. pneumoniae isolates in this region.
- Antimicrobial resistance patterns highlight the need for tailored treatment guidelines.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of bacteria in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the antibiogram profile in pediatric patients with suspected meningitis. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between January 2014 and January 2016 in the Hevi Paediatric Teaching Hospital in Duhok, Iraq. The CSF samples were withdrawn from 432 pediatric patients suspected of meningitis. The samples were cultured, and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed. Results: There were 33 (7.6%) culture positive cases among 432 CSF samples. Among the positives cases, there were 18 culture positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). There were 4 cases of Viridans streptococci. In addition, there were 2 cases each of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and Non-coagulase staphylococci. There was only one case each of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus species, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The isolated S. pneumoniae strains showed 47% sensitivity against penicillin, 13% against cefotaxime, but 100% of sensitivity against vancomycin. Isolates of gram-negative bacilli (E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa) were 100% sensitive to imipenem and amikacin, but had 0% sensitivity to cefotaxime and vancomycin. All isolates of Staphylococci were sensitive to vancomycin, gentamicin, and clindamycin but were resistant to penicillin and cefotaxime. Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumoniae is currently the leading cause of meningitis among children in Duhok city. The antimicrobial resistance pattern indicates that all isolates of S. pneumoniae were sensitive to vancomycin.
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