Changing pattern of acute bacterial meningitis in Enugu, Nigeria.

A retrospective analysis of the records of 76 children with culture proven acute bacterial meningitis at UNTH, Enugu over a four year period (1 April 1989 through 30 March 1993), has revealed a striking change in the pattern of the disease especially in the causative organisms, age distribution, morbidity and mortality. Gram negative organisms accounted for 52.63% of all isolates, with coliforms being the most predominant (34.21% of total isolates). However, in a previous study by others in the same locality, gram positive organisms were more predominant, accounting for 81.2% of all isolates. In both series, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the single most predominant organism although there was a decrease in the percentage of the organism in the present study. Morbidity and mortality rates were 23.68% and 28.95% respectively, compared with 19.6% and 20.6% in the previous study. The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu is the only teaching hospital in the State.