Predictors of Bacterial Meningitis in Angola
Author Information
Author(s): Lussiana Cristina, Lôa Clemente, Sofia Vanda Pulido Tarquino, Ivan Alejandro Paulo
Primary Institution: Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Hospital Divina Providencia, Luanda, Angola
Hypothesis
Can basic laboratory parameters aid in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in resource-limited settings?
Conclusion
Using a combination of easily obtainable CSF parameters can significantly improve the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in resource-limited health centers.
Supporting Evidence
- CSF protein concentration ≥50 mg/dl is a better predictor for bacterial meningitis diagnosis.
- CSF glucose concentration ≤40 mg/dl combined with protein concentration can help diagnose almost all cases of bacterial meningitis.
- The study found that CSF WBC count ≥10/µl is not a reliable predictor of bacterial meningitis.
Takeaway
Doctors can use simple tests on spinal fluid to help figure out if kids have a serious illness called bacterial meningitis, even in places with few resources.
Methodology
A nested case-control study analyzing CSF specimens from children to identify predictors of bacterial meningitis.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the retrospective nature and reliance on clinical diagnosis.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and limited by the number of CSF specimens analyzed.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 2 months to 14 years from a low socioeconomic background in Luanda, Angola.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI for various parameters
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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