Abstract

TIQUE, Vaneza et al. Acute meningitis in Córdoba, Colombia (2002-2004). Rev. salud pública [online]. 2006, vol.8, suppl.1, pp.33-46. ISSN 0124-0064.

<b<Objective Establishing characteristic epidemiologic and microbiologic features of acute meningitis in the Córdoba department. Methodology A descriptive epidemiological study was carried out between June 2002 and June 2004 at the Hospital San Jerónimo in Montería. All suspicious cases of meningitis were included; laboratory tests included cytological smear, biochemistry, latex, Gram stain and culture. Results 57 (11,3 %) and 85 (16,8 %) of the 503 samples of cerebrum spinal fluid (CSF) were confirmed by culture as being probable cases. There were 6 cases of polymicrobial infection, making a total of 63 isolates: 17 non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (26,9 %), 16 Streptococcus pneumoniae (25,4 %), 7 Enterobacteriaceae (11 %), 5 Criptococcus neoformans (8 %) 4 Neisseria meningitidis serotype B (6,3 %), 3 S. viridans (4,8 %), 2 Streptococcus group B (3,2 %), 2 Haemophilus influenzae type B (3,2 %), 2 Staphylococcus negative coagulase (3,2 %), 2 S. aureus (3,2 %), 2 Enterococcus (3,2 %) and 1 Candida albicans (1,6 %). The S. Pneumoniae serotypes found were: 5 (n=4), 23F (n=3), 14 (n=2), 18C (n=2), 18A (n=1), 17F (n=1), 1 (n=1). Conclusions The study led to determining epidemiological and microbiological aspects of acute meningitis in the Córdoba department which had been unknown up to now. Streptococcus pneumoniae (25,4 %) was the main aetiological agent of meningitis; the epidemiologic aspects so established confirmed the need for strengthening and implementing measures for controlling meningitis in Córdoba and its surveillance there.

Keywords : Meningitis; epidemiology; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Córdoba; Colombia.

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