Epidemiological profile of acute bacterial meningitis in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) remains a public health problem in Brazil. To evaluate the epidemiology of ABM cases at Giselda Trigueiro Hospital, Rio Grande do Norte, a descriptive retrospective survey was conducted covering 2005 to 2008. METHODS Clinical and laboratory data were collected from the epidemiology department of the hospital and analyzed. RESULTS Out of 168 ABM cases, 24.4%, 10.7%, and 2.4% were, respectively, caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenza b, and 5.4% by other bacteria. The mean age was 22.48 +/- 18.7 years old. CONCLUSIONS Streptococcus pneumoniae was the main causative pathogen in the young urban population.