Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens
10:08

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens

Published on: April 17, 2026

Antimicrobial resistance and microbiological gap analysis for central nervous system-assocaited bacterial pathogens

Jafar Ammoura1, Nouruldeen Alshamaa1, Amjad Elamin1

  • 1Pathological Sciences Department, Division of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|July 1, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Central nervous system (CNS) infections in Nigeria show high antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and diagnostic gaps. Targeted microbiology interventions are crucial for effective treatment and surveillance of bacterial meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Central nervous system (CNS) infections pose a significant health burden in the African meningitis belt.
  • Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicates treatment for CNS infections not covered by vaccines.
  • Nigeria faces challenges with AMR in CNS pathogens and diagnostic limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To map pathogen-specific AMR profiles and diagnostic gaps in CNS bacterial pathogens in Nigeria.
  • To inform precise microbiology-based interventions for improved surveillance and empiric therapy.
  • To address the growing challenge of AMR in CNS infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of three-year national AMR surveillance data for CNS bacterial pathogens.
  • Data extracted from 25 sentinel laboratories and analyzed per CLSI/GLASS standards.
  • AMR profiles and diagnostic gaps assessed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests.

Main Results:

  • High culture positivity rates observed in females and older adults.
  • Dominant isolates included *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Escherichia coli*, and *Klebsiella* species.
  • High AMR levels noted for *Streptococcus pneumoniae*, *Klebsiella* species, *E. coli*, and *P. aeruginosa*.
  • Significant diagnostic gaps identified across all CNS bacterial pathogens, scoring maximum clinical risk.

Conclusions:

  • Species-level identification gaps and high AMR necessitate targeted microbiological diagnostics.
  • Expanded cerebrospinal fluid testing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST)-guided empiric therapy are crucial.
  • Interventions must be tailored for resource-limited settings to combat CNS infections effectively.
Keywords:
African meningitis beltantimicrobial resistance (AMR)bacterial pathogencentral nerous systemgap analysisglobal health

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