Prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from cerebrospinal fluids in Najaf Hospitals, Iraq.

Bacterial Meningitis is characterised as a severe and purulent infection that occurs in the subarachnoid area. This condition is linked to an inflammatory response in the central nervous system. Nessieria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli are the most prevalent causative agents of bacterial meningitis worldwide. Objectives: To identify bacterial aetiology agents involved in meningitis and to evaluate antibiotic resistance patterns of isolates from cerebrospinal fluids [CSF] of patients in major hospitals in Najaf, Iraq. Methods: From September 2021 to March 2022, a cross-sectional study was carried out on meningitis patients in government hospitals in Najaf. One hundred fifty-seven samples of cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] were taken and sent to a lab for microbiological analysis. Bacterial isolates were identified, and determine patterns of antibiotic resistance. Results: We found 14% [22/157] confirmed cases of bacterial meningitis among the population of Najaf, Iraq. 12 [54.5%] of the 22 CSF bacteria isolates that were culture-positive were Gram-positive, while 10 [45.5%] were Gram-negative. The identified culture positive bacteria isolate comprised Streptococcus pneumoniae [27%], Escherichia coli [23%], Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae [13.5%], Neisseria meningitidis [9%], and Streptococcus agalactia and Staphylococcus epidermidis [4.5%] for each. A high percentage of children patients [45.5%] was identified compared to neonates 7 [32%] and adults [22.7%]. All Gram-positive of culture-positive CSF isolates were ampicillin-resistant. However, they exhibited a higher rate of resistance to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and ceftriaxone and a moderate rate of resistance to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin. Imipenem and meropenem were 100% effective against CSF bacterial meningitis isolates. Conclusions: This study shows a low prevalence of bacteria causing meningitis in Najaf hospitals. S. pneumoniae, E.coli, and S. aureus were the record common etiological agents that cause bacterial meningitis. Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens were sensitive to carbapenems [imipenem and/or meropenem]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]