Bacterial Meningitis in Malawian Infants <2 Months of Age: Etiology and Susceptibility to World Health Organization First-Line Antibiotics

Swann, Olivia, Everett, Dean B., Furyk, Jeremry S., Harrison, Ewen M., Msukwa, Malango T., Heyderman, Robert and Molyneux, Elizabeth M. (2014) 'Bacterial Meningitis in Malawian Infants <2 Months of Age: Etiology and Susceptibility to World Health Organization First-Line Antibiotics'. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, Vol 33, Issue 6, pp. 560-565.

Preview

Text Ped_Inf_Dis_J_33_6_560-565.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (287kB)

Abstract

Background: Neonatal meningitis is an important cause of morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa and requires urgent empiric treatment with parenteral administered antibiotics. Here we describe the etiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and suitability of the World Health Organization first-line recommended antibiotics (penicillin and gentamicin) for bacterial meningitis in young infants in Malawi.

Methods: We reviewed all cerebrospinal fluid samples received from infants <=2 months of age with clinically suspected meningitis between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2008, at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi.

Results: We identified 259 culture-positive isolates from 259 infants <=2 months of age. Sixty isolates were from neonates <=7 days old, in whom the most common pathogens were Group B Streptococcus (27/60; 45.0%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (13/60; 21.7%) and nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica (7/60; 11.7%). One hundred and ninety one isolates were from young infants who were >7 days and <=2 months of age. In this group, the most common isolates were S. pneumoniae (80/191; 41.9%), Group B Streptococcus (38/191; 19.9%) and nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica (34/191; 17.8%). More isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone than to the combination of penicillin and gentamicin (218/220; 99.1% vs. 202/220; 91.8%, Fisher’s exact test P = 0.006). In particular, Gram-negative isolates were significantly more susceptible to ceftriaxone than to gentamicin (72/74; 97.3% vs. 63/74; 85.1%, Fisher’s exact test P = 0.020). Penicillin and gentamicin provided less coverage for Gram-negative than Gram-positive isolates (74/86; 86.0% vs. 155/163; 95.1%, [chi]2 = 6.24, P = 0.012).

Conclusions: In view of these results, the World Health Organization recommendations for empiric penicillin and gentamicin for suspected neonatal meningitis should be reevaluated.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QV Pharmacology > Anti-Bacterial Agents. Tissue Extracts > QV 350.5.G3 Gentamicins QV Pharmacology > Anti-Bacterial Agents. Tissue Extracts > QV 354 Penicillins WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 530 International health administration WL Nervous System > WL 200 Meninges. Blood-brain barrier WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 430 Infancy
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000000210
Related URLs:	Publisher
Depositing User:	Lynn Roberts-Maloney
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2015 10:05
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2018 13:10
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/5186

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item