Diagnostic value of heparin-binding protein in the cerebrospinal fluid for purulent meningitis in children

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of heparin-binding protein (HBP) in the cerebrospinal fluid of children with purulent meningitis (PM). This study included 118 children with PM diagnosed at our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020, 110 children with viral meningitis (VM) and 80 children with suspected meningitis who were ruled out by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis during the same period. HBP and white blood cell (WBC) count in the CSF, and inflammatory factors, including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and procalcitonin (PCT), were measured. Receiver-operator characteristic curves were used to analyze the predictive value of HBP, CRP, PCT, and TNF-α levels in the diagnosis of PM by CSF analysis. HBP levels in the CSF of children with PM were higher, while the CRP and serum PCT and TNF-α levels were elevated in all groups (P<0.05). In addition, HBP levels in the CSF were more accurate for the diagnosis of PM than traditional diagnostic indexes. HBP levels in the CSF can be used as an important reference for early diagnosis of PM.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern from Pathogens Causing Acute Pyogenic Meningitis in a Teaching Hospital, South India.

Background and Objectives: Acute pyogenic meningitis is one of the most serious infections in infants and children. It is associated with serious complications and risk of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of present study was to identify the pathogen in acute pyogenic meningitis and to determine its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Methods: Present study was undertaken for a period of one year from July 2009 to June 2010 included 100 CSF samples of clinically suspected acute pyogenic meningitis cases in children below 12 years. The samples were subjected to Gram’s stain, culture and antibiotic sensitivity test. The cases positive in either of Gram stain or culture were diagnosed as acute bacterial meningitis cases. Results were tabulated and antibiotic sensitivity pattern was compared. Results: Of the 100 cases studied, 26 cases were diagnosed as acute bacterial meningitis. Gram’s stain positivity was 73% (19/26 cases), culture positivity was 100%. The most common organism isolated in the study was Streptococcus pneumoniae, followed by Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Aminoglycosides, cefotaxime and cotrimoxazole showed high sensitivity. Interpretation and conclusion: Though Gram stain is very essential in diagnosis of meningitis, it may miss some cases. Culture and latex agglutination tests overcome this disadvantage. Streptococcus pyogenes still remains predominant pathogen. Antibiogram of the bacteria causing meningitis is also slowly undergoing a change. This calls for change in the empirical therapy for bacterial meningitis cases.

Etiology of Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Hospitalized Children in Western Uttar Pradesh.

We retrospectively studied clinical and etiological profile of acute bacterial meningitis in hospitalized children for two consecutive years at a pediatric hospital in western Uttar Pradesh. Etiological diagnosis could be made in 30 (44.8%) out of 67 cases with either culture or latex agglutination test. Pneumococcus was the commonest pathogen found in 17 (25. 4%) cases. The overall mortality was 10. 5%.

Fatal Subdural Empyema Following Pyogenic Meningitis

Subdural empyema is a rare form of intracranial sepsis associated with high morbidity and mortality. The most frequent cause is extension of paranasal sinusitis through emissary veins or of mastoiditis through the mucosa, bone, and dura mater. Development of subdural empyema after pyogenic meningitis is known to be very unusual in adults. We report a rare case of fatal subdural empyema, an unusual complication of pyogenic meningitis. Our bitter experience suggests that subdural empyema should be borne in mind in patient with pyogenic meningitis who exhibit neurological deterioration.