Clinical Epidemiological Assesment of Bacterial Meningitis in the Province of Cordoba

Abstract

533 cases of bacterial meningitis diagnosed in the province of Cordoba over a period of seven years are analyzed. 53,7% of the cases are in males, with 71.2 % of the cases being detected in children under 14 (p < 0,001). Greater incidence has been observed in Cordoba city than in the province, with a direct relationship being between morbidity and population density. The months with lower average temperature account for 45,6 por 100 of al1 the diagnosed cases of meningitis. By etiology, 51,9% were meningococcic meningitis, followed by meningitis produced by unknown germs (35,3%) and by H. influenzae. The illness developed in 91,3% of cases to a cure, with sequelae in 4,1% and death in 4,4%. Meningitis produced by H: influenzae was wath caused most sequelae and that produced by S. pneumoniae was the most lethal. Isolated N. meningitidis presented 100% sensitivity to penicillin and cephalos porins, H. influenzae 91,7% chloramphenicol and only 28,3% to penicilin.