Bacterial Isolates from Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of Patients In a Tertiary Healthcare Institution in Western Part of Nigeria

The presence of bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results in the inflammation of the meninges, a condition known as meningitis. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of bacteria, which causes meningitis and their susceptibility pattern. This study, which was prospective and cross sectional involved patients with suspected symptoms of meningitis.1504 patients seen at the various facilities in University of Benin Teaching Hospital were involved in the study. CSF samples obtained from patients were incubated on chocolate, blood, and McConkey agar at 370c for 24hrs. Isolates were identified using the protocol of Cowan and Steel. Sensitivity test was done on Mueller-Hinton agar by the disc diffusion method of Bauer and Kirby using the Mcfalan method. The isolates varied in their susceptibility to the various antibiotics. Ofloxacin, ceftazidime amoxicilin clavulanate and gentamycin showed good antibiotic activity while cefuroxime, ceftriaoxone, cloxacillin, showed poor activity. Oxacillin showed the poorest activity. Despite the low infection rate, bacterial meningitis still remains a medical emergency and suggestions were advanced to control the occurrence. Keywords: meningitis, infection rate, susceptibility pattern, cerebrospinal Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 63, No. 5-6,2013