A study was undertaken to determine the relationship of presenting features and outcome in primary childhood meningitis at the Paediatric Department, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur from January 1980 to December 1989. A total of 177 cases of primary childhood meningitis admitted during the study period were analysed retrospectively. One hundred and nine cases (61.6%) had complete recovery, 49 cases (27.7%) recovered with residual complications and 19 cases (10.7%) died. The mean duration of illness of those with complete recovery, residual complications and acute mortality was 4.8 days, 9.6 days and 7.6 days respectively (p < 0.05). Neurological signs were more common in those with mortality and morbidity i.e. 89% and 78% respectively as compared to those who had complete recovery (58%). There was significant correlation between outcome and haemoglobin level on admission (complete recovery 11 gm%, residual complications 10.4 gm%, mortality 9.6 gm% with p < 0.05), mean CSF sugar content (complete recovery 2.2 mmol/l, residual complications 1.5 mmol/l, mortality l.1 mmol/l, p < 0.00001), and mean CSF protein level (complete recovery 168 mg%, residual complications 321 mg%, mortality 344 mg%, p < 0.001). Gram positive organisms were associated with higher mortality and morbidity i.e. 24% and 40%, as compared to gram negative organisms 12% and 31% respectively. There was no significant correlation' between age, sex, peripheral and CSF white cell count with outcome illness. Our data show that prolonged duration of illness, presence of neurological signs, low haemoglobin level, low CSF sugar content, high CSF protein level, and gram positive organisms were associated with poorer outcome of childhood meningitis.
A prospective study was carried out to determine the aetiology of cerebral abscess in relation to the primary source of infections. Seventy-five patients with cerebral abscess were included in the study in the period January 1985 to December 1988. More than half of the patients studied had single lesions and the overall most common sites were in the frontal and parietal regions. Chronic suppurative otitis media, cyanotic congenital heart diseases and meningitis were among the important predisposing conditions in these patients. Approximately 25% of the patients with cerebral abscesses had no documented antecedent infections. Pure cultures were found to be predominant (66.7%) and sterile cultures were obtained from 10 (13.3%) patients. Streptococci were isolated from 23 (30.7%) patients, the commonest species being Streptococcus milleri. Proteus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putrifaciens and Bacteroides sp were almost exclusively found in cerebral abscesses secondary to chronic suppurative otitis media; these organisms were found in mixed cultures. Streptococcus milleri, Bacteroides sp and Eikenella corrodens were found in pure cultures in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease. In patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts in-situ, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and diphtheroids were common. Anaerobes were found in 15 (20.0%) patients, the majority in mixed cultures. Culture, as well as gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of volatile fatty acids of cerebral pus, was carried out to enhance the detection of the anaerobes. Based on these findings, an antibiotic regimen consisting of penicillin, chloramphenicol and metronidazole is recommended as an initial therapy while awaiting culture and sensitivity results.