Bacteriological Profile and Prevalence of Cerebrospinal Fluid Isolates at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria: A 2-Year Retrospective Study (2024–2026)
Ikechukwu Francis Agwu *
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Samuel Gabriel Ibok
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Chinedum Christabel Amagwu
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
Odigie Loretta
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Idakari Nweke
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria.
Ekemini N. Udo
Department of Paediatrics, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Augusta Mgbedimma
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Veritas University Abuja, Nigeria.
Christian Junior Ide
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River, Nigeria.
Anozie Chikezie Enyinnaya
Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gregory University Uturu, Abia, Nigeria.
Okafor Jonhbosco Chidozie
Department of Chemical Pathology University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Anietie Arthur Etuk
Department of Chemical Pathology University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Chisom Ntomchukwu
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Uyo, Teaching Hospital Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Ekanem Emmanuel
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Uyo, Teaching Hospital Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Essien Udobong McEinstein
Department of Morbid Anatomy, University Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture provides laboratory information about microorganisms recovered from patients investigated for suspected meningitis. Local descriptions of CSF isolates are useful because the distribution of microorganisms may differ between hospital settings and age groups.
Objective: To describe the frequency of CSF culture positivity and the distribution of recovered microorganisms at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, between August 2024 and August 2026.
Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 291 CSF culture records from the hospital microbiology database. Available demographic information, hospital location and microbiological results were analysed descriptively using frequencies and percentages.
Results: Of 291 submitted CSF specimens, 76 yielded microbial growth, giving an overall culture-positivity rate of 26.1%. Culture positivity was 52.9% among neonates aged 0–28 days and 6.3% among children aged 1–17 years. The Special Care Baby Unit had six positive cultures among seven specimens (85.7%). Table-based isolate counts totalled 81, comprising 33 Gram-positive cocci (40.7%), 33 Gram-negative bacilli (40.7%) and 15 yeasts (18.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently reported organism (30 isolates; 37.0%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (20; 24.7%).
Conclusion: The findings describe the local distribution of organisms recovered from submitted CSF specimens, with substantial variation across age groups and hospital wards. The difference between culture-positive specimen counts and recorded isolate counts requires verification, and the results do not establish population-level meningitis incidence.
Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid, CSF culture, microbial isolates, culture positivity, bacterial meningitis, neonatal specimens, Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli, Candida species, hospital-based surveillance