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Intra-tracheal Administration of Haemophilus influenzae in Mouse Models to Study Airway Inflammation
Published on: March 2, 2016
Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in Malaysia
I H Hussain1, A Sofiah, L C Ong
1Paediatric Institute, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|October 22, 1998
Summary
Childhood bacterial meningitis in Malaysia is often caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), despite low pathogen isolation rates. This study highlights the need for better diagnostic methods to understand Hib meningitis incidence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood meningitis poses a significant health burden globally.
- Accurate etiological diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological patterns of postneonatal childhood meningitis in Malaysia.
- To identify causative agents and assess outcomes in pediatric meningitis cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study design.
- Data collected from five pediatric departments across Malaysia.
- Analysis of clinical and laboratory data for meningitis cases.
Main Results:
- 435 clinical meningitis cases were identified, predominantly in children under five years old.
- Only 16.3% of cases met laboratory diagnostic criteria; pathogen isolation was achieved in 58 cases.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was identified in 48% of bacteriologically confirmed cases, with a 12.5% mortality rate and 30% neurologic sequelae.
Conclusions:
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a major cause of culture-positive bacterial meningitis in Malaysian children.
- Low pathogen isolation rates hinder accurate assessment of Hib meningitis incidence.
- Findings align with previous epidemiological studies on childhood meningitis in Malaysia.
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