Epidemiological and Evolutionary Aspects of Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Aim: Pneumococcal meningitis remains a public health problem in Burkina Faso. The aim of our study was to describe the epidemiological and evolutionary aspects of pneumococcal meningitis. Patients and Methods: It was about a retrospective and descriptive study of the records of patients hospitalized for pneumococcal meningitis in the department of infectious diseases at CHU-YO, Burkina Faso during the period going from January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2014. Results: In 15 years, 318 cases were collected, representing a proportional morbidity of 5%. The sex ratio M/F was 1.2 and the average age was 24 years [44 days-70 years]. The majority (91%) of patients were from suburban areas of the city of Ouagadougou. Housewives, farmers and students were the most affected with 23%, 10% and 9%. The annual peaks of meningitis cases were recorded between January and April, which corresponds to the dry season. The evolution was fatal in 39.62%. The frequency of pneumococcal meningitis at CHU-YO remains relatively high with a heavy lethality. Hence the need to promote pneumococcal vaccination and strengthen the technical platform for an appropriate treatment of cases.