The outcome of non-typhoidal salmonella meningitis in Malawian children, 1997-2006

Abstract

Introduction: The clinical course and outcome of non-typhoidal salmonella (NTS) meningitis in Malawian children over a 10-year period (1997-2006) is described. Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected for all children over 2 months of age admitted with salmonella meningitis to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital from 1997 to 2006. In the 1st year, salmonellae were susceptible to chloramphenicol, and children received 2 weeks of chloramphenicol treatment. When NTS resistance to chloramphenicol started to appear in 1998, treatment was changed to ceftriaxone. From 2002, the duration of antibiotic therapy was extended to 4 weeks which included 2 weeks of intravenous ceftria..