Acute bacterial meningitis – challenges and conclusions
Journal
Journal of IMAB. 2024 vol. 30, Supp 1
Date Issued
2024-10
Author(s)
Cana, Fadil
Cvetanovski, Vlatko
Stojanoska, Tatjana
Milosavljevikj, Ane
DOI
https://www.journal-imab-bg.org/issues-2024/Supplement/2024v30Supplement1Medicine.pdf
Abstract
Acute bacterial meningitis is an urgent condition characterized by significant morbidity and
mortality. In the last decades, epidemiology of the most common etiologic agents as well as the
age limit has changed significantly, with dominant involvement of the adult population and
population at risk. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common bacteria causing
bacterial meningitis. The aim of this study is to observe the changes in the prevalence of
etiologic agents and their dominance, the most commonly affected age groups, as well as
comorbidities and complications in patients with acute bacterial meningitis treated at the
University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Skopje, R.N. Macedonia. In the last seven-year
period, 194 patients with acute bacterial meningitis were treated. The etiologic agent in
cerebrospinal fluid was confirmed in 94 (48.45%) patients, with the predominance of S.
pneumoniae in 74 (78.72%). L. monocytogenes with 10 (10.63%) and N. meningitides with 6
(6.38%) were less represented. Male sex is dominant with 111 (57.21%) and older age groups as
well. More than half of the patients, from the study, belonged to the at risk population with the
highest percentage of them presenting with more than two comorbidities, as well as
complications. In our study group, 41 (21.13%) of the patients died. Because of the substantial
mortality and morbidity, it remains an urgent need to optimally deploy existing vaccines
worldwide and develop new prevention strategies and treatment options.
mortality. In the last decades, epidemiology of the most common etiologic agents as well as the
age limit has changed significantly, with dominant involvement of the adult population and
population at risk. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common bacteria causing
bacterial meningitis. The aim of this study is to observe the changes in the prevalence of
etiologic agents and their dominance, the most commonly affected age groups, as well as
comorbidities and complications in patients with acute bacterial meningitis treated at the
University Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Skopje, R.N. Macedonia. In the last seven-year
period, 194 patients with acute bacterial meningitis were treated. The etiologic agent in
cerebrospinal fluid was confirmed in 94 (48.45%) patients, with the predominance of S.
pneumoniae in 74 (78.72%). L. monocytogenes with 10 (10.63%) and N. meningitides with 6
(6.38%) were less represented. Male sex is dominant with 111 (57.21%) and older age groups as
well. More than half of the patients, from the study, belonged to the at risk population with the
highest percentage of them presenting with more than two comorbidities, as well as
complications. In our study group, 41 (21.13%) of the patients died. Because of the substantial
mortality and morbidity, it remains an urgent need to optimally deploy existing vaccines
worldwide and develop new prevention strategies and treatment options.