A survey of bacteria and fungi associated with suspected cases of meningitis among children attending some selected hospitals in Kano

Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is one of the most potentially serious infections occurring in the Children age group, with a high incidence of acute complications and risk of long-term morbidity and mortality. The aim of the research was to Survey the Bacteria and Fungi Associated with Suspected Cases of Meningitis among Children Attending Some Selected Hospitals in Kano State, hundred samples of cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) were collected through lumbar Children aged 0-12years suspected of having Meningitis. The samples were Nigeria. Three puncture from subjected to macroscopic examination, microscopic examination, culture tests. Bacterial and fungal isolates were confirmed by biochemical tests and serology. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity tests using standard techniques. The results obtained were analysed and a prevalence of 8.0% was obtained for bacteria while that of fungi was 0.33%. Analysis of the result according to age group showed that Children in the age group 0-2years had the highest percentage of Meningitis (7.7%:23/300) while those in the age group 3-4 years (0.3%:1/300) and 11-12 years had the lowest (0.3%:1/300). However there were no significant differences between the age group and the prevalence of Meningitis (0.1042). Analysis of the result according to occurrence of isolated organism showed that gram negative Bacteria Heamophilus influenzae type b had the highest frequency of occurrence (48:12/25) while the least were Neisseria meningitidis C/W135 (4%:1/25), Salmonella paratyphi C (4%:1/25), Streptococcus species (Viridans group) (4%:1/25), Candida famata (4%:1/25). Analysis of the result in relation to the study sites showed that the highest number of positive cases were obtained from Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH) (52%:13/25) while the lowest from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospiatal (AKTH) (4%:1/25). However there was a significant difference between the study sites and the number of positive cases (0.004). Antibiogram of the bacterial isolates showed that ceftriaxone (91.7%:11/12) and ciprofloxacin (91.7%:11/12) were found to be most sensitive to Haemophilus influenzae type b and least sensitive to trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (8.3%:1/12). The yeast, Candida famata was found to be (100%:1/1) sensitive to ketaconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B. It can be concluded that the overall prevalence of Bacteria in the study sites was 8.0% while that of fungi was 0.33%. Gram negative bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b were found to be the major cause of meningitis in the study sites which are most sensitive to cefriaxone (91.7%:11/12) and ciprofloxacin (91.7%:11/12) and least sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (8.3%:1/12). Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid, Hospitals, isolates, meningitis, occurrence, paediatrics, sensitivity.