Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Haemophilus influenzae among Under-five Children Presenting at the Emergency Paediatric Unit (EPU) of Two Teaching Hospitals in Jos, Nigeria

Background: Haemophilus influenzae meningitis is a leading cause of endemic bacterial meningitis in infants and under-five children globally. H. influenza infection is severe where vaccine is not routinely used and one-third to half of the children either dies or suffers permanent disability such as deafness, paralysis or mental retardation when prompt and appropriate treatment is not instituted.
Aim: This research sets to study and document the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of H. influenzae isolates from cerebrospinal fluids of under-five children presenting at the Emergency Paediatric Units of two Teaching Hospitals in Jos, Nigeria.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross–sectional prospective study conducted from October 2009 to March 2010. One hundred and sixty consecutive under-five children who presented with signs and symptoms consistent with H. influenzae meningitis were recruited. Socio-demography data was obtained with structured questionnaire. Specimens were aseptically collected and carefully processed for isolation and identification of H. influenza and subsequently the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates.
Results: The prevalence of H. influenzae meningitiswas low in Jos with prevalence of 6.3% among 160 under-five children studied, with mean age of 34 months and M: F ratio of 1:1. About 60% of these isolates were obtained from patients with acute pyogenic bacterial meningitis. Majority of the isolates were ampicillin resistant, β-lactamases producers and were all sensitive to ceftriaxone and azithromycin.
Conclusion: The low prevalence of H. influenzae meningitis suggests substantial but not complete coverage of vaccine activity in this region while the susceptibility pattern of the isolate reveals and supports the vital role ceftriax one plays in the management of invasive H. influenzae infections to avoid pathologic complications.