Epidemiology of meningitis: a Retrospective study of 1197 cases

ABSTRACT

The aim was to determine the extent of morbidity and mortality of Meningitis according to age, sex, season and to causative microorganisms. A retrospective study was conducted on 1197 cases diagnosed as meningitis in Mosul, Iraq between 1988 and 1995. The study found that meningitis was an important constituent of infectious diseases representing 18.4% of total admissions and 24.2% of total deaths. The study revealed a predominance of male cases with the highest attack rate and mortality among infants. About 50% of the cases have been becteriologically identified. The commonest three pathogens were M. meningitides, H. influnzae and S. pneumoniae. Viral infections were suspected in 23.3% and tuberculosis was the cause of 2.2% of meningitis cases. The disease was common in winter and spring, with the highest admission rate in1990. A total of 84.2% were cured, 9.7% died and 3.1% developed complications. The highest cure rate was observed in viral meningitis [97.8%] while the lowest was in tuberculous meningitis [38.5%]. The study pointed to the importance of meningitis as a common health problem. Doctors, particularly newly graduated, should be aware of the size of the problem and of criteria for early diagnosis and treatment