ABSTRACT

Detection of the isolation frequency and antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms causing meningitis would be helpful to physician in selecting the empiric treatment. In this study, the aim was to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibilities of the pathogens isolated from cerebrospinal fluids of patients with suspected meningitis in a four-year period. Microorganisms were isolated in 74 (8.3%) of 889 cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Staphylococcus aureus (33.8%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (14.9%) were the most common pathogens. They were followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (8.1%), and Neisseria meningitidis (6.7%). Oxacilline resistance was 42% for S.aureus and 70% for coagulase negative staphylococci. Among S.pneumoniae isolates, there was no resistance to penicillin G, but 50% was resistant to ampicillin. All N.meningitidis isolates were susceptible to antibiotics of penicillin group. These results would be a helpful guide to physicians in selecting the empiric treatment for patients with meningitis in our hospital.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, cerebrospinal fluid, meningitis