Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern from Pathogens Causing Acute Pyogenic Meningitis in a Teaching Hospital, South India

Background and Objectives: Acute pyogenic meningitis is one of the most serious infections in infants and children. It is associated with serious complications and risk of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of present study was to identify the pathogen in acute pyogenic meningitis and to determine its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Methods: Present study was undertaken for a period of one year from July 2009 to June 2010 included 100 CSF samples of clinically suspected acute pyogenic meningitis cases in children below 12 years. The samples were subjected to Gram’s stain, culture and antibiotic sensitivity test. The cases positive in either of Gram stain or culture were diagnosed as acute bacterial meningitis cases. Results were tabulated and antibiotic sensitivity pattern was compared. Results: Of the 100 cases studied, 26 cases were diagnosed as acute bacterial meningitis. Gram’s stain positivity was 73% (19/26 cases), culture positivity was 100%. The most common organism isolated in the study was Streptococcus pneumoniae, followed by Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Aminoglycosides, cefotaxime and cotrimoxazole showed high sensitivity. Interpretation and conclusion: Though Gram stain is very essential in diagnosis of meningitis, it may miss some cases. Culture and latex agglutination tests overcome this disadvantage. Streptococcus pyogenes still remains predominant pathogen. Antibiogram of the bacteria causing meningitis is also slowly undergoing a change. This calls for change in the empirical therapy for bacterial meningitis cases.