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PLATELET FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS AT THE KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL, NAIROBI
Abstract
Objective: To determine platelet abnormalities in patients with menigococcal meningitis.
Design: Case control study.
Subjects: Fifty seven cases of mennigococcal meningitis based on a cerebrospinal fluid
gram stain for gram negative diplococcus or positive culture were recruited. Fifty-seven
controls matched for age and sex were also recruited. The following platelet functions
tests were performed; platelet counts, platelet adhesiveness, platelet aggregation and clot
retraction.
Results: Fifty seven patients (41 males and 16 females) with meningococcal meningitis
were studied. Their mean age was 25.5 ± 8.32 years with a range of 15 to 45 years.
Five patients had purpura, four peripheral gangrene, eight conjunctival haemorrhages
and one was in shock. There was a statistical significant difference in the platelet
aggregation and clot retraction between the patients and controls at p-values of 0.0001
and 0.0002 respectively. There was no significant difference in the platelet count and
adhesiveness between the patients and the controls at a p-value of 0.203 and 0.22
respectively. No association was found between the platelet functions and the clinical
presentations.
Conclusion: Patients with meningococcal meningitis have abnormalities in the platelet
functions mainly in aggregation and adhesiveness.
Design: Case control study.
Subjects: Fifty seven cases of mennigococcal meningitis based on a cerebrospinal fluid
gram stain for gram negative diplococcus or positive culture were recruited. Fifty-seven
controls matched for age and sex were also recruited. The following platelet functions
tests were performed; platelet counts, platelet adhesiveness, platelet aggregation and clot
retraction.
Results: Fifty seven patients (41 males and 16 females) with meningococcal meningitis
were studied. Their mean age was 25.5 ± 8.32 years with a range of 15 to 45 years.
Five patients had purpura, four peripheral gangrene, eight conjunctival haemorrhages
and one was in shock. There was a statistical significant difference in the platelet
aggregation and clot retraction between the patients and controls at p-values of 0.0001
and 0.0002 respectively. There was no significant difference in the platelet count and
adhesiveness between the patients and the controls at a p-value of 0.203 and 0.22
respectively. No association was found between the platelet functions and the clinical
presentations.
Conclusion: Patients with meningococcal meningitis have abnormalities in the platelet
functions mainly in aggregation and adhesiveness.
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