Clinical presentations and microbiological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid samples in cases of suspected bacterial meningitis patients attending a 1600 bedded teaching hospital from 2019 to 2022: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Meningitis can be attributed to bacterial, fungal, or viral agents. In this study, we demonstrate the common bacterial agents causing meningitis along with their antibiotics susceptibility pattern in patients of all age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective, observational study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from November 2019 to May 2022. We collected 1986 nonrepeat CSF samples from clinically suspected patients of bacterial meningitis, and clinical information about the patients was extracted from the hospital information system. RESULTS: Out of the 1986 CSF samples included in our study, 150 (7.55%) were found to be positive on bacterial culture. Most of our patients were in the age group of 0–20 years. Common clinical manifestations observed in our patients were: high-grade fever, 87 patients (58%); severe headache, 126 patients (84%); neck rigidity, 47 patients (31.3%); altered mental status, 76 patients (50.7%) and photophobia, 83 patients (55.3%). The most commonly isolated bacteria was Acinetobacter species (30%). The mean length of hospitalization (37.76 ± 25.30), the mean total cell count, high levels of protein (mg/dl) and low levels of glucose (mg/dl) of CSF were statistically significant in meningitis caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. CONCLUSION: We recognized the spectrum of pathogens causing meningitis at our center along with the antibiotic resistance pattern to guide and facilitate early treatment by primary health care professionals and family medicine practitioners.