Resumen

JIMENEZ MARTINEZ, María del Carmen  y  PADILLA DOCAL, Bárbara. Characterization of meningoencephalitis at "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto" Central Military Hospital, 2004-2008. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2012, vol.50, n.2, pp. 189-197. ISSN 1561-3003.

Introduction: Meningoencephalitides are a group of diseases basically characterized by an inflammatory reaction of the membranes covering the brain. Serious sequelae may affect 25-50% of survivors. Objective: Determine the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics and the complications caused by meningoencephalitis at "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto" Central Military Hospital. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 patients with meningoencephalitis confirmed by clinical status, cerebrospinal fluid cytochemical examination and identification of the etiological agent. A chi-square test was applied to determine the relationship between demographic variables and the type of meningoencephalitis. Results: 72 % of meningoencephalitis cases were viral and 28 % were bacterial, with a predominance of the male sex. The most frequent signs and symptoms were fever (83 %), headache (77 %), vomiting (65 %) and meningeal signs (78 %). Bacterial meningoencephalitis was accompanied by increased cellularity (> 500 mm3 in 57,14 %) and proteins (> 0,45 g/L in 78.57 %); cerebral edema as a complication, Streptococcus pneumoniae as the most frequent etiological agent isolated (42,86%) and 50% of cases with no microorganism identified. A predominance of the viral etiology and the male sex was observed in the two types of meningoencephalitis, as well as similar symptoms, main isolated germs and most frequent complications.

Palabras clave : epidemiology; meningoencephalitis; Haemophilus influenzae; Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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