RESUMEN
Background: Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection, and by certain drugs. Neopterin better with C-reactive protein is suited to support the differential diagnosis of viral versus bacterial infections
Aim: The study aimed at determination of epidemiological profile of admitted cases of meningitis [from two to twelve years old] and to evaluate the role of serum neopterin in differentiation between septic and aseptic meningitis
Patients and Methods: Nignty meningitis cases admitted in Imbabah Fever Hospital in one year [May 2012-May 2013] and eighty one meningitis cases admitted in 1 year [May 2013-May 2014]. The following had been done for all patients Full medical history and Clinical examination, Laboratory investigation including a-CBC, and Serum neopterin by ELISA of the second phase, c-CSF analysis, and Statistical analysis SPSS
Results: risk factors among cases of meningitis are age<5 years, males more affected [63.3%] in the 1st phase in comparison to the 2nd phase [56.8%], there was a statistical significant difference as regard contact to ill relative with a higher percent in the 1st phase 66.2% in comparison to the 2nd phase 33.8%. There was a higher percent of viral meningitis in the 2nd phase [67.9%] in comparison to the 1st [47.8%]. CSF culture: no growth [32.2% in the 1st phase comparison to the 2nd phase 14.8%], followed by St. pneumonia [9.9% in the 2nd phase comparison to the 1st phase 5.6%], then H influenza [7.8% in the 1st phase in comparison to the 2nd phase 2.5%], the lowest percentage was TB meningitis with a percent of 1% and 0% in 1st and 2nd phase respectively. There was positive correlation between the bacterial meningitis occurrence and :he higher level of serum neopetrin
Conclusion: Meningitis is increasing worldwide in an alarming rate. Neopterin is a diagnostic marker to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections