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[Etiology of suppurative bacterial meningitis]
Abstract:
The results of the laboratory examination of 2034 patients with meningococcal infection and purulent meningitides, hospitalized during the period of June 1980 to October 1983, revealed that three main etiological agents were responsible for these diseases: meningococci, pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae. The susceptibility of the patients to different etiological agents was found to depend on their age. Children aged up to 3 years constituted 75% of the patients with meningitis caused by H. influenzae; 50% of the patients with meningococcal infection were children aged up to 5 years; pneumococcal meningitis occurred more frequently in adults. Serogroup A meningococci were found to prevail in patients with meningococcal infection. Besides, in children serogroup C meningococci could be isolated in 24% of cases. Since 1983 the cases of the isolation of strains belonging to serogroup B increased in number. Among the pneumococci responsible for the disease serotypes 1, 19, 6 and in children serotype 12 occurred most frequently.
Insights
Meningitis in children and adults is primarily caused by meningococci, pneumococci, and Haemophilus influenzae. Age significantly influences susceptibility, with specific pathogens and serogroups predominating in different age groups.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Meningitis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally.
- Understanding the etiological agents and their age-specific prevalence is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the main etiological agents of meningitis and purulent meningitides.
- To analyze the age-related susceptibility to different pathogens causing meningitis.
- To determine the prevalence of specific serogroups and serotypes of meningococci, pneumococci, and Haemophilus influenzae.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory examination of 2034 patients hospitalized with meningitis and purulent meningitides.
- Analysis of etiological agents including meningococci, pneumococci, and Haemophilus influenzae.
- Age-specific data collection and pathogen characterization.
Main Results:
- Meningococci, pneumococci, and Haemophilus influenzae were identified as the primary etiological agents.
- Haemophilus influenzae meningitis predominantly affected children under 3 years (75%).
- Meningococcal infections were common in children under 5 years (50%), with Serogroup A prevalent, followed by Serogroup C (24%) and an increase in Serogroup B strains after 1983.
- Pneumococcal meningitis was more frequent in adults, with common serotypes including 1, 19, 6, and 12 (in children).
Conclusions:
- Age is a critical factor in determining susceptibility to specific meningitis pathogens.
- The etiological landscape of meningitis involves distinct age-related patterns for H. influenzae, meningococci, and pneumococci.
- Monitoring serogroup and serotype distribution is essential for public health interventions against bacterial meningitis.