Experience of cefotaxime as first line antibiotic in acute bacterial meningitis

ABSTRACT

To find out efficacy safety and tolerability of cefotaxime sodium [Cefotax] as first line antibiotic. An Observational analytic study. Child Medicare Center Larkana for the period of 18 months from July 2003 to December 2004. fifty six patients having cerebrospinal fluid favoring acute bacterial meningitis between 2 months to 12 years of age with set inclusion criteria were included in the study. CSF aspiration was per formed under strict aseptic technique and sent .for routine examination and culture in every case to detect the organisms and see the pattern of sensitivity. CSF was repeated in all cases to confirm the clearance. The data were recorded and than statistically analyzed. Total male 37/56 and female 19/56 with male to female ratio were 21. Culture-was positive in 28.57% patients [16/56], while 71.42% [40/56] cases revealed no organism. The most cases were below 6 years of age. The maximum sensitivity seen with cefotaxime [100%] and higher proportion of resistant to gentamycin [75%]. The Predominant Organisms were below 6 year of age were S. Pneumoniae and H. Influenzae. Neurological morbility was more in patients < 6 years of age [8.92%] while above this age were [1.78%]. The case fatality was [1/56] [2%] and with S. Pneumoniae organism. Culture was positive in 28.57% patients. The most common organism were S.pnenmoniae. H. influenzae and Meningococcus. Mostly the organisms are sensitive to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone, as first line antibiotic in acute bacterial meningitis, cefotaxime is safe, effective and reliable