Optimizing Laboratory Diagnostic Services for Infectious Meningitis in the Meningitis Belt of sub-Saharan Africa

• DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00340
• Publication Date: 2019-11-18T19:19:26Z
• Authors: Charles E. Okolie; Unyime C. Essien
• Keywords: Etiology; Viral meningitis

For longer than a century, the "meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa has experienced largest-ever global meningitis epidemic. Whereas HIV-associated immunosuppression drives higher susceptibility to environmental infectious organisms with tropism for central nervous system (CNS), most diagnostic laboratories in belt stick N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae. Cryptococcus neoformans been leading cause death (incidence, 89%; death, 75%). To establish whether services target geographically important pathogens, there is need know current spectrum etiology. Given Africa's agro-silvo-pastoralism, One Health approach recommended. Considering multipathogen detection capacity, needed speed corticosteroid therapy decision, susceptibility/resistance antimicrobials improved CNS penetration, proposed laboratory categorization will help neurologists choose suitable services.