Microorganisms involved in acute bacterial meningitis in children and the role of Haemophilus influenzae

Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is an important cause of mortality and neurological damage in children. Documentation of the etiological agents is very important both for the treatment of patients and for prophylactic approaches. H.influenzae, N.meningitidis and S.pneumoniae are the three major pathogens involved in ABM. In Turkey for many years H.influenzae has not been isolated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. In order to show the bacteria involved in ABM in our hospital and to see the role of H.influenzae, we investigated the CSF of 59 patients with bacterial meningitis using Gram and Wayson stains, culture and latex agglutination techniques. The agents were determined in 38 (64.4%) specimens by using culture positivity in 30 (50.8%), and latex or stain positivity in eight (13.6%) specimens. The microorganisms causing ABM included S.pneumoniae (25.6%), gram-negative enteric bacilli (17.9%), N.meningitis (12.8%), alpha hemolytic streptococci (10.3%), H.influenzae (10.3%), nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli (5.1%), candida spp. (5.1%), group B streptococci (2.6%), coagulase negative staphylococci (2.6%), S.aureus (2.6%) and pseudomonas spp, (5.1%). In this study it has been shown that H.influenzae can cause ABM in Turkish children. Multicentric studies from different parts of Turkey will be helpful in showing the real incidence in our country.