The Changing Pattern of Causative Bacterial Organisms in Neonatal Meningitis.

Abstract

Summary: A retrospective study of 36 infants with bacteriologically proven neonatal meningitis at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, between January, 1976 and Junc, 1981, has revealed a changing pattern in the causative organisms and their sensitivi ty. In the present study, gram-negative organisms accounted for 61% of the isolates. Enterobacteria, especially E. coli and Klebsiella species were the commonest gram negative agents. No case of Salmonella was found. By contrast, Salmonella species accounted for 54% of the enterobacteria isolated in a previous study from the same unit. Pneumococcus was the leading gram-positive agent and its frequency of isolation has doubled since the last study. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns in the present study suggest that penicillin (or ampicillin) combined with gentamycin should be the initial antibiotics in cases of neonatal meningitis in our environment. The study agrees with prcvious suggestions that causes of neonatalinfections vary from one community to another and change from time to time within the same community or institution. Thercfore, a rational approach to antimicrobial therapy can only be based on regular review ofthe causative agents and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns.