Related Experiment Videos

[Etiologic factors for purulent meningitis in children. Twenty years of personal observations]

M Patrzałek1, B Natwora-Gołabek

  • 1Oddział Zakaźny A Wojewódzkiego Specjalistycznego Szpitala Dzieciecego w Kielcach.

Przeglad Epidemiologiczny
|January 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Purulent meningitis cases show a decrease in Streptococcus pneumoniae and an increase in Haemophilus influenzae type b. Antibiotic resistance in H. influenzae type b strains was also observed.

Area of Science:

  • * Infectious Diseases
  • * Microbiology
  • * Epidemiology

Context:

  • * Analysis of etiological agents in purulent meningitis cases hospitalized between 1977-1985 and 1988-1996.
  • * Comparison of bacterial prevalence over two distinct 9-year periods.

Purpose:

  • * To compare the etiological agents responsible for purulent meningitis over two decades.
  • * To identify shifts in the prevalence of key bacterial pathogens.
  • * To assess the antimicrobial sensitivity of identified pathogens, particularly Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Summary:

  • * Neisseria meningitidis remained a consistent cause of meningitis (55.7% to 66.5%).
  • * Streptococcus pneumoniae decreased significantly as a causative agent (33.5% to 8.4%).
  • * Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) showed a marked increase (0.6% to 14.2%), with observed resistance to ampicillin and chloramphenicol.

Impact:

  • * Highlights a significant epidemiological shift in the causative agents of bacterial meningitis.
  • * Underscores the emerging challenge of antibiotic resistance in Haemophilus influenzae type b.
  • * Informs public health strategies and treatment guidelines for managing bacterial meningitis.

Related Concept Videos