ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY IN ACUTE PYOGENIC MENINGITIS: A CASE STUDY

Background and Aims: Acute pyogenic meningitis (APM) is a severe central nervous system infection with significant morbidity and mortality. While conjugate vaccines have reduced its incidence in children, the burden remains high in adults, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to identify the bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of APM in patients from a tertiary care hospital in western Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 patients diagnosed with APM at J.N. Medical College, Aligarh, from October 2017 to October 2019. Inclusion criteria included informed consent, patients aged above 14 years, and those presenting with clinical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings suggestive of APM. CSF was analyzed microbiologically, biochemically, and cytologically. Culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI 2017 guidelines. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v20, with a p-value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Among 50 patients, 62% were male, and 67% were aged 20–60 years. The most common pathogen was Streptococcus pneumoniae (70% of culture-positive cases), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (10.8%). All grampositive organisms were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid, while gram-negative isolates showed 100% sensitivity to carbapenems. Gram staining had a sensitivity of 70%, and culture positivity was 74%. Resistance to commonly used antibiotics like cotrimoxazole and gentamicin was noted. Conclusion: APM remains a critical public health challenge in developing regions. Early culture sensitivity testing and empirical treatment based on local susceptibility patterns are vital. Vaccination and continued surveillance are necessary to reduce the disease burden and address antimicrobial resistance.