The aetiology of acute community acquired bacterial meningitis in children and adults in Maputo, Mozambique

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired acute bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening infection and many outbreaks have been reported all around the world. METHODOLOGY: We analysed 330 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples received over a period of eight months from patients older than one month. Microscopy, cultures, identification, and antigen detection were performed for the positive samples. RESULTS: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b were isolated in 5.4%, 4.8%, and 3.6% of CSF samples respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that N. meningitidis is the most common cause of acute bacterial meningitis in Mozambique and that H. influenzae type b was isolated only from children aged younger than six years. This is the first study to provide data on the aetiological agents of acute bacterial meningitis in children and adults in Mozambique.