Acute bacterial meningitis in Qatar

To study the changes in the epidemiology, clinical and bacteriological profiles of bacterial meningitis in the era of the Haemophilus influenzae type b [Hib]vaccine and pneumococcus resistance. This is a retrospective study of children aged <12 years admitted to the Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar between January 1998 through December 2002 with positive cerebrospinal fluid culture. We described 64 patients with culture proven bacterial meningitis. In infants <3 months [n=29 [45%]], the most common organism was Group B Streptococcus [GBS] [20%]. Children >3 months [n=35 [55%]]; Hib [25%] and Streptococcus pneumoniae [STP] [20%] were the most common organisms before introduction of Hib vaccination. A significant drop of Hib infections were noticed after introduction of the vaccine. Fever, neck stiffness, seizure, vomiting, and bulging fontanel were the most frequent presenting features. Group B Streptococcus were sensitive to ampicillin and cefotaxime with no resistance detected. Forty percent of STP isolates were resistant to penicillin and 12% were resistant to ceftriaxone. Fifty percent of Hib were resistant to ampicillin; while none of Hib were resistant to ceftriaxone. No case of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis was diagnosed. Morbidity was 28%, and one patient expired [2%] after Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae was associated with the highest morbidity [62%] while Hib had zero morbidity in our patients. Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness with a significant morbidity and mortality. Haemophilus influenzae type b infection decreased which indicated an effective vaccination. As there is 12% bacterial resistance of STP reported against ceftriaxone; We recommend Cefotaxime for infants <3 months while ceftriaxone plus vancomycin as empiric therapy for older patients with community acquired bacterial meningitis. A pneumococcal vaccination may further decrease the incidence of meningitis in our community. A continuos surveillance to detect changes in the microbiology of organisms causing bacterial meningitis or their sensitivity in our community is essential to update these recommendations

Gemella morbillorum endocarditis

A case of Gemella morbillorum [G.morbillorum] endocarditis of the mitral valve in a patient with previously normal heart valves is reported. The presentation was subacute, and the infection was complicated by perforation of the posterior mitral leaflet that necessitated valve repair. Gemella morbillorum infections are uncommon, and endocarditis is the most common presentation. G.morbillorum endocarditis is probably under recognized, and has not been reported from our region. The case is described, and problems in the identification of the organism are discussed