What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify the bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity in pediatric meningitis cases.

December 19, 2025

Bacteriological Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns in Acute Bacterial Meningitis Among Children

Key Points

To identify the bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity in pediatric meningitis cases.
Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Lahore
Cerebrospinal fluid samples were processed using standard microbiological techniques
Pathogens identified by Gram staining, colony morphology, and biochemical tests
Antimicrobial susceptibility tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method
Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using the E-test technique.
21.8% of suspected cases were confirmed as bacterial meningitis
Streptococcal species were predominant among Gram-positive organisms
E. coli and other lactose-fermenters dominated among Gram-negative isolates
Gram-positive bacteria showed high sensitivity to vancomycin and linezolid
Lactose fermenters had low sensitivity to beta-lactams and quinolones.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the etiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in pediatric patients with suspected meningitis at a tertiary care center.Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Punjab Rangers Teaching Hospital, Lahore, from November 2024 to July 2025. Standard microbiological procedures were followed in the processing of CSF samples taken from hospitalised individuals. Pathogens were initially identified by colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests. Gram-negative organisms were identified by using API 10S. The standard Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and was interpreted according to the latest CLSI guidelines. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of vancomycin and penicillin were ascertained using the E-test technique. Results: Out of 354 suspected cases, 77 (21.8%) were confirmed cases of meningitis. Streptococcal speciespredominatedamongGram-positiveorganisms,whilelactose-fermentingbacteria,includingE. coli, dominated among Gram-negative isolates. Gram-positive bacteria exhibited high sensitivity to vancomycin and linezolid. Lactose fermenters showed poor sensitivity to beta-lactams, extended-generation cephalosporins, and quinolones. Most non-lactose fermenters were sensitive to colistin. Conclusion: Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were highly prevalent in CSF samples from patients with bacterial meningitis, with many showing low susceptibility to multiple antibiotics. These findings highlight the need for accurate diagnosis and antibiotic selection guided by local resistance patterns to support antimicrobial stewardship and infection control.Key words:Bacterial meningitis, Cerebrospinal fluid, antimicrobial susceptibility, Lactose fermenter, non-lactose fermenter.

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