Turkish Neurosurgery
The Causes of Post-Operative Meningitis: The Comparison Of Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Pathogens
Behice Kurtaran1, Ferit Kuscu1, Aslihan Ulu1, Ayse Seza Inal1, Suheyla Komur1, Filiz Kibar2, Nuri Eralp Cetinalp3, Kerem Mazhar Ozsoy3, Yusuf Kemal Arslan4, Hasan Salih Zeki Aksu1, Yesim Tasova1
1Cukurova University, Infectious Diseases, Adana,
2Cukurova University, Microbiology, Adana,
3Cukurova University, Neurosurgery, Adana,
4Cukurova University, Biostatistics, Adana,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.20575-17.1

Aim:In this study, we aim to determine the microbiological etiology in critically ill neurosurgical patients with nosocomial meningitis (NM) and show the impact of Gram-negative rods and differences of patient’s characteristics, clinical and prognostic measures between Gram-negative and Gram-positive meningitis. Material and Methods:In this prospective, one center study we reviewed all adult patients hospitalized during a 12-year period and identified pathogens isolated from post-neurosurgical cases of NM. Demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics were noted from the medical records.Results:Of the 134 bacterial NM patients, 78 were male and 56 were female, with a mean age of 46±15.9 and median age of 50 (18-80) years. 141 strains isolated; 82 (58.2%) were Gram negative, 59 (41.8%) were Gram positive. Most common isolated microorganism was Acinetobacter baumannii (%34.8). In comparison of mortality data shows that the patients who have meningitis with Gram-negative pathogens have higher mortality than with Gram positives (p=0.034). The duration between surgery and meningitis was shorter in Gram negative meningitis cases compared to others (p=0.045) but the duration between the diagnosis and death was shorter in Gram-positive meningitis cases compared to Gram negatives (p= 0.017). CSF protein and lactate level were higher and glucose level was lower in cases of NM with Gram negatives (p value were respectively, 0.022, 0.039 and 0.049). Conclusion:As conclusions; in NM, Gram-negative pathogens were seen more frequently; A.baumanni was the predominant pathogen; and NM caused by Gram negatives had worse clinical and laboratory characteristic and prognostic outcome than Gram positives.

Corresponding author : Behice Kurtaran