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Analysis of bacterial meningitis during 1992-1996 in Poland
1Department of Antibiotics and Microbiology, Drug Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Retrospective study of bacterial meningitis cases was performed by analysis of filled questionnaires received from 38 different hospitals located in 27 out of 49 provinces of Poland. Obtained data allowed to indicate that S. epidermidis, N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae were the most common bacterial strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of meningitis patients during the last five years. Besides data analysis performed, some strains of N. meningitidis (n = 97), H. influenzae (n = 28) and S. pneumoniae (n = 39) isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of meningitis patients hospitalized in different places in Poland sent by cooperating hospital laboratories (1995-1996), were phenotypically characterized. Neisseria meningitidis B:22:P1.14 was the most common isolate phenotype during the investigated time period. Streptococcus pneumoniae of twenty different serological types were isolated. Type 1 was the dominant--18% of strains. All but one Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid belonged to serological type b. Biotyping showed presence of only two types: I and II, 39.3% and 60.7% of isolates respectively. The sensitivity of collected strains to selected antimicrobial agents (penicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, sulphametoxazol, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, rifampin and erythromycin) used in treatment and prophylaxis of bacterial meningitis was investigated. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by agar dilution method or with the use of E-tests. All investigated strains but one N. meningitidis, were not resistant to penicillin (MIC < or = 1 microgram/ml).
Insights
This study identified common bacterial strains causing meningitis in Poland, including Streptococcus epidermidis, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. Most strains showed sensitivity to penicillin, a key antibiotic for bacterial meningitis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis remains a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the prevalent etiological agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial for effective treatment and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most common bacterial strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid in Polish meningitis patients over five years.
- To phenotypically characterize key bacterial isolates (Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae).
- To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates to commonly used antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of questionnaires from 38 hospitals across 27 Polish provinces.
- Phenotypic characterization of isolated bacterial strains, including serotyping and biotyping.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using agar dilution and E-tests to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs).
Main Results:
- The most frequently isolated bacteria were Streptococcus epidermidis, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.
- Neisseria meningitidis B:22:P1.14 was the predominant phenotype.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 was dominant (18%), and Haemophilus influenzae was predominantly serotype b.
- All tested strains, except one Neisseria meningitidis, were susceptible to penicillin (MIC ≤ 1 µg/ml).
Conclusions:
- The study provides valuable epidemiological data on bacterial meningitis in Poland.
- The high susceptibility of common meningitis pathogens to penicillin suggests its continued importance in treatment regimens.
- Further surveillance is recommended to monitor evolving resistance patterns.