Perfil etiológico das meningites em um hospital público universitário

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of responsible pathogens of meningitis, of patients admitted in Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM-Santa Maria – RS). Methods A reprospective study summarizes all data concerning of meningitis in which samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed using culture and antigen detection through reaction of latex agglutination evaluated in the Laboratório de Bacteriologia do Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria. Results From a total of 437 patients with meningitis suspected, the etiologic agent was detected in 64 (14,64% ). Staphylococcus epidermidis in 19,7%, n= 13, Cryptococcus neoformans in 15,50%, n= 10, and the Staphylococcus aureus 9,09%, n= 6. In all the cases of Cryptococcus neoformans etiology were associated to HIV infection. The initial treatment consisted of ceftriaxone and penicillin or just ceftriaxone. The antibiotic was changed to ampicillin in cases of Listeria spp. and anfothericin B plus fluconazol in cases of HIV infection. Diverse antimicrobial agent was used, when resistant or different microorganisms were found in cultures. Conclusions The epidemiology of meningitis should be continuous and should consider local data um order to guide antimicrobial therapy. The continuous monitoring of the prevalent agents in each institution is fundamental to the selection of antimicrobial drugs, because the etiologic profile of meningitis can to be completely different of the agents most commonly detected.