CHILDHOOD ACUTE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Childhood acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a leading cause of morbidity
and mortality in Nigeria. The usual practice of commencing antibiotic therapy before the
complete laboratory result is available, necessitates the knowledge of the current most
frequent aetiologic agents of meningitis and the antibiogram in the local population.
Objective: This study was undertaken to prospectively investigate childhood acute bacterial
meningitis in patients attending the children emergency unit at the University of Benin
Teaching Hospital.
Method: One hundred and fifty CSF specimens obtained from children suspected to have
acute bacterial meningitis were analyzed using microscopy, culture, biochemical tests and
latex agglutination tests.
Result: A total of 23 (15.3%) out of 150 were confirmed bacterial meningitis. Eleven
(47.8%) out of the 23 cases were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, 7 (30.4%)
Haemophilus influenzae type b, 3 (13.0%) Neisseria meningitidis and 2 (8.7%) for others
comprising of Staphylocuccus aureus and Klebssiella pneumoniae. No statistically significant
association was established between ABM and variables like age <5 years, sex, social class
and immunization status (p>0.05). Penicillin and ampicillin resistances were established
among 16.7% and 11.1% of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates
respectively.
Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of childhood acute bacterial
meningitis, and no longer Neisseria meningitidis which was previously reported as the major
etiologic agent. There is need for periodic surveillance of prevalence, aetiology and antibiotic
resistance pattern of childhood bacterial meningitis in order to optimize antibiotics
management.

CHILDHOOD ACUTE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA