Susecptibility Pattern Of Meningococcal Meningitis Outbreak In Nguru, Yobe State, North-Eastern Nigeria

Background: The study area lies within meningitis belt, and epidemic outbreaks are common occurrence. Effective treatment of meningococcal meningitis depends on administration of appropriate antibiotics. The study reviewed the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens implicated in meningococcal meningitis in the study area.Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted during the epidemic period (January –May 2009). The CSF specimens were examined by standard bacteriological methodsResults: Of the 110 CSF specimen examined, 54 (49.1%) were positive by Gram-reaction, 32 (59.3%) yielded bacterial growth, with Niesseria meningitidis, 25 (78.1%), Strep. pneumoniae 4 (12.5), coliforms 2(6.3%), and S.aureus 1(3.1). Twelve of the 25 N. meningitidis were recovered from children aged less than 60 months with youngest less than 2 months. From the study the bacterial isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone (100%), chloramphenicol (92.3%) and penicillin (50%) respectively.Conclusion; The high sensitivity of the organisms to ceftriaxone (100%) and chloramphenicol (92.3%) as observed in this study is in support of their use as first-line antibiotics in the treatment of epidemic meningococcal meningitis as advocated by the World Health Organization.