Retrospective analysis of bacterial agents in central nervous system infections: A nine-years evaluation in a university hospital

Abstract

The follow-up of bacterial agents and antibiotic resistance profiles that cause central nervous system (CNS) infections has guided the choice of life-saving empirical treatment against these infections. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the bacterial agents isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and their antibiotic susceptibility for nine years with the suspicion of CNS infection. The results of the patients who were sent CSF samples for bacteriological diagnosis with the suspicion of CNS infection between August 2012 and April 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The isolated bacterial species were identified using conventional methods, biochemical tests and various commercial identification systems. Microorganisms were isolated in 121 (14.85%) of 815 CSF samples examined. The most commonly isolated agents are methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococci (n:59; 48.76%) among Gram-positive and Klebsiella spp. (n:12; 9.92%) among Gram-negative. The follow-up of bacteria isolated from CNS infections, which can progress rapidly and cause serious complications, and the changes in antibiotic susceptibility over the years is known as a guide in the regulation of appropriate treatment. We think that our results may contribute to the selection of antibiotics that can be used especially in cases where urgent empirical treatment is required.