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Background: Despite effective antibiotics and vaccines, bacterial meningitis (BM) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young infants worldwide. Data from Africa on the aetiology and antibiotic susceptibility are scarce. Objective: To describe the aetiology of BM in Angolan infants

Background In resource-poor settings, otorrhea causes a significant burden of disease in children. Etiologic studies and structured data on otorrhea and chronic otitis media among African children remain scarce. Methods Here, we reviewed 678 bacteriologically analyzed otorrhea samples from Luanda Children's Hospital from children ≤15 years of age between 2008 and 2015. We then compared these with data from other studies among African children through a literature review of 20 articles published over 2 decades. Results Overall, 32 different bacteria were identified among 542 isolates from 654 children in Luanda. Gram-negative bacteria constituted the majority of all isolates (85%), whereby Pseudomonas spp. was the most common (n = 158; 29%), followed by Proteus spp. (n = 134; 25%). Among Staphylococcus aureus (n = 54; 10%), 69% of tested isolates were Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and among Enterobacteriaceae, 14% were expanded-spectrum β-lactamase isolates. Resistance to quinolones was rare. Furthermore, in a review of the literature, we found a high occurrence of otorrhea and chronic suppurative otitis media in children as well as possible gaps in existing knowledge. Conclusions In Angola, Gram-negative rods emerged as common causative agents of otorrhea in children followed by S. aureus. The magnitude of chronic otorrhea in Africa represents a cause for public health concern.

In Angola during 2003–2012, we detected Haemophilus influenzae in 18% of 2,634 and 26% of 2,996 bacteriologically positive pleural or cerebrospinal fluid samples, respectively, from children. After vaccination launch in 2006, H. influenzae empyema declined by 83% and meningitis by 86%. Severe H. influenzae pneumonia and meningitis are preventable by vaccination.

Human enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis. Viral–bacterial interaction may affect the clinical course and outcome of bacterial meningitis. In Africa, viruses might be responsible for 14–25% of all meningitis cases. However, only few studies from Africa have reported detection of viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or mixed viral–bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of picornaviruses in the CSF of children suffering from meningitis in Luanda, Angola. The study included 142 consecutive children enrolled in a prospective study of bacterial meningitis in Luanda between 2005 and 2006, from whom a CSF sample was available. CSF samples were obtained at hospital admission, stored in a deep-freeze, and transported to Finland for testing by real-time PCR for picornaviruses. Enteroviruses were detected in 4 (3%) of 142 children with presumed bacterial meningitis. A 5-month-old girl with rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis recovered uneventfully. An 8-year-old girl with human enterovirus and pneumococcal meningitis developed no sequelae. A 2-month-old girl with human enterovirus and malaria recovered quickly. A 7-month-old girl with human enterovirus was treated for presumed tuberculous meningitis and survived with severe sequelae. Mixed infections of the CNS with picornaviruses and bacteria are rare. Detection of an enterovirus does not affect the clinical picture and outcome of bacterial meningitis. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1080–1083, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background In Sub-Saharan Africa, both malaria (M), and bacterial meningitis (BM) cause fever and central nervous system (CNS) disturbance. We studied their prevalence, characteristics, outcome, and risk factors for poor outcome to better understand the clinical impact of suspected CNS infection in children. Methods We conducted a prospective study in the Children’s Hospital (HPDB) in the capital of Angola which attends 300 new patients daily. Spinal tap (ST) was performed for children presenting with altered consciousness, convulsions, prostration, or meningism. The analysis included children aged 3 month to 15 years with confirmed discharge diagnosis in 2016–2017. Results Of 941 children, the diagnosis was M in 56% (525), BM in 12% (116), epilepsy/convulsions in 9% (88), and other infections in 6% (60). Of all children, 16% (150/941) died, 6% (45/733) had severe, 14% (93/655) any neurological sequelae, and 27% (243/897) either died or had neurological sequelae. In children with M, the corresponding figures were 7% (35/525), 1.5% (7/476), 4% (19/443), and 11% (54/514). In children with BM, the figures were 41% (47/116), 15% (8/54), 33% (11/33), and 55% (58/105), respectively. Comparing with M, children with BM were younger (median age (IQR) 28 (61) vs. 60 (68) months, P < 0.0001), had an underlying illness (23/97 vs. 19/374, P < 0.0001), like sickle-cell disease (18/96 vs. 9/372, P < 0.0001), longer duration of illness (4 (4) vs. 3 (3) days, P < 0.0001, dyspnea (70/119 vs. 210/463, P = 0.009), were dehydrated (36/113 vs. 67/441, P < 0.0001), or malnourished (38/115 vs. 75/447, P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent risk factors for death or neurological sequelae age 3 days (2.48, 1.68–3.64, P < 0.0001), malnutrition (1.92, 1.20–3.05, P = 0.006), and dehydration (1.92, 1.16–3.14, P = 0.01). When BM vs. M was included in the analysis, BM appeared as the most important risk factor (OR 8.06, 4.44–14.65, P < 0.0001) and age lost its significance. Conclusion In suspected CNS infection, M was the final diagnosis of most children. However, BM caused more deaths and neurological sequelae. Amendable factors, such as delay in treatment, dehydration, and malnutrition, appeared as risk factors for poor outcome. Disclosures T. Pelkonen, sanofi pasteur: Investigator, Sanofi Paster funded this study. Paediatric Research Foundation, Helsinki, Finland: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Helsinki, Finland: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient