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PATHOGENIC ISOLATES IN MENINGITIS PATIENTS IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
Abstract
Objectives: To determine, from laboratory records, the spectrum of bacterial and fungal
pathogens isolated fromcerebrospinal fluids (CSF) of in-patients with meningitis at Muhimbili
Medical Centre (MMC) in Dares Salaam and to ascertain the laboratory results (based on
microscopy and culture) using the latex agglutination technique.
Design: A retrospective study based on laboratory records of CSF samples investigated
between November 1999 and June 2000 and a cross-sectional study involving investigation
of 60 freshly collected CSF samples by conventional (microscopy and culture) and antigen
detection by latex agglutination technique (LAT).
Setting: Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dares Salaam, Tanzania.
Investigations: Information from laboratory records, bacteriological examination of CSF
by microscopy, culture and agglutination techniques.
Result: According to records, a total of 1144 CSF samples were investigated between
November 1999and June 2000, of which two hundred and twenty twospecimens (19.4%) had
a positive bacterial or fungal culture. Fifty five of the isolates were from children (aged less
than 15 years) and were; 20 (36.4%) were Streptococcus pneumoniae, 12(21.8%) were
Cryptococcus neoformans, and nine (16.4%) were Haemophilus infIuenzae type b. The
remaining 14 (25%) isolates included three group B streptococci, three Klebsiella spp, two
E.coli, two Staphylococcus aureus, two Pseudomonas spp, one Moraxella and one Salmonella
group B. For adults a total of 167 positive cultures were reported and 163 (97.6%) of the
isolates were Cryptocaccus neoformans, two (1.2%) were Pseudomonas spp. and two were S.
aureus. There was good agreement between conventional microscopy and culture with the
latex agglutination technique in the identification of CSF pathogens.
Conclusion: In children, S. pneumonia, and bacteria in general constituted the majority of
isolates. Adult cases of meningitis were almost exclusively due to C. neoformans. Overall, C.
neoformans appears to be the most common isolate among meningitis cases. Based on LAT
results, our routine diagnostic methods seem to be adequate in the identification of the
common CSF pathogens.
pathogens isolated fromcerebrospinal fluids (CSF) of in-patients with meningitis at Muhimbili
Medical Centre (MMC) in Dares Salaam and to ascertain the laboratory results (based on
microscopy and culture) using the latex agglutination technique.
Design: A retrospective study based on laboratory records of CSF samples investigated
between November 1999 and June 2000 and a cross-sectional study involving investigation
of 60 freshly collected CSF samples by conventional (microscopy and culture) and antigen
detection by latex agglutination technique (LAT).
Setting: Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dares Salaam, Tanzania.
Investigations: Information from laboratory records, bacteriological examination of CSF
by microscopy, culture and agglutination techniques.
Result: According to records, a total of 1144 CSF samples were investigated between
November 1999and June 2000, of which two hundred and twenty twospecimens (19.4%) had
a positive bacterial or fungal culture. Fifty five of the isolates were from children (aged less
than 15 years) and were; 20 (36.4%) were Streptococcus pneumoniae, 12(21.8%) were
Cryptococcus neoformans, and nine (16.4%) were Haemophilus infIuenzae type b. The
remaining 14 (25%) isolates included three group B streptococci, three Klebsiella spp, two
E.coli, two Staphylococcus aureus, two Pseudomonas spp, one Moraxella and one Salmonella
group B. For adults a total of 167 positive cultures were reported and 163 (97.6%) of the
isolates were Cryptocaccus neoformans, two (1.2%) were Pseudomonas spp. and two were S.
aureus. There was good agreement between conventional microscopy and culture with the
latex agglutination technique in the identification of CSF pathogens.
Conclusion: In children, S. pneumonia, and bacteria in general constituted the majority of
isolates. Adult cases of meningitis were almost exclusively due to C. neoformans. Overall, C.
neoformans appears to be the most common isolate among meningitis cases. Based on LAT
results, our routine diagnostic methods seem to be adequate in the identification of the
common CSF pathogens.
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