Open AccessEnhanced identification of Group B streptococcus in infants with suspected meningitis in Ethiopia
Author(s) -
Alene Geteneh,
Tesfaye Kassa,
Yared Alemu,
Derbie Alemu,
Mulugeta Kiros,
Andualem Henok,
Workeabeba Abebe,
Tinsae Alemayehu,
Dawit Hailu Alemayehu,
Adane Mihret,
Andargachew Mulu,
Wude Mihret
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0242628
Subject(s) - meningitis , neonatal meningitis , group b , medicine , streptococcus , streptococcus agalactiae , pediatrics , cerebrospinal fluid , mortality rate , biology , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , escherichia coli , gene
Meningitis is one of the top ten causes of death among Ethiopian infants. Group B streptococcus (GBS) has emerged as a leading cause of meningitis in neonates and young infants, resulting in high mortality. Despite this, there is no report on GBS associated meningitis in Ethiopia where infant meningitis is common. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the proportion of GBS associated meningitis among Ethiopian infants. PCR was prospectively used to detect GBS in culture-negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, which were collected from infants suspected for meningitis, at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Ethiopia, over a one-year period. GBS was detected by PCR in 63.9% of culture-negative CSF samples. Out of the 46 GBS positive infants, 10.9% (n = 5) of them died. The late onset of GBS (LOGBS) disease was noted to have a poor outcome with 3 LOGBS out of 5 GBS positive samples collected from patients with the final outcome of death. PCR was advantageous in the identification of GBS in culture-negative CSF samples. GBS was detected in 64% of the CSF samples from infants with meningitis compared with zero-detection rate by culture.