Acinetobacter species meningitis in children: a case series from Karachi, Pakistan

Document Type

Article

Department

Paediatrics and Child Health

Abstract

Introduction: Multidrug-resistant strains of Acinetobacter pose a serious therapeutic dilemma in hospital practice, particularly when they cause meningitis, as the few antimicrobial agents to which these isolates are susceptible have poor central nervous system (CNS) penetration.

Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course and outcome of eight consecutive cases of meningitis due to Acinetobacter spp. in children ages 15 years or less, seen in a tertiary care medical center in Karachi, Pakistan.

Results: Of the eight cases of Acinetobacter meningitis, isolates from five Patients were pan-resistant, and two were multidrug-resistant. A neurosurgical procedure was performed in five of eight Patients followed by external ventricular drain insertion prior to the development of infection. Seven received intravenous (IV) polymyxin (mean, 12.8 days), while 5/8 also received intrathecal (IT) polymyxin (mean, 12.0 days). The mean length of hospitalization was 38.7 +/- 19 days. All Patients achieved cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture negativity by the end of treatment (mean, 5.4 days). Two Patients died: one with pan-resistant Acinetobacter, and the second with a multi-drug resistant isolate.

Conclusion: Post-neurosurgical multidrug-resistant and pan-resistant Acinetobacter meningitis can be successfully treated if appropriate antimicrobial therapy is instituted early. The role of IT polymyxin B administration alone versus combination therapy (IV and IT) needs further study.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries

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