Study of the aetiologic agents of meningitis in Kumasi, Ghana, with special reference to Cryptococcal neoformans.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the importance of Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic in meningitis, in healthy and HIV infected patients in Kumasi, Ghana.


METHODS
A prospective study; isolating the aetiologic agents of meningitis from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using standard methods.


METHODS
Kumasi city, Ashanti region of central Ghana.


METHODS
One thousand five hundred and seventy patients suspected of meningitis, including 28 HIV infected and AIDS patients.


METHODS
The pattern and distribution of the main etiologic agents of meningitis in Kumasi, Ghana shown.


RESULTS
Of the 1570 CSF samples examined, 1256 (80%) showed no abnormality. Of the 314 (20%) with abnormalities, 147 were bacterial, and 167 diagnosed aseptic. No cryptococcal cells were found.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a paucity of cryptococcal meningitis in Kumasi, Ghana, and it is not recommended to screen routinely for the fungus in meningitis investigations.
Frimpong
E H
EH
Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Lartey
R A
RA
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016921:Meningitis, Fungal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014504:Urban Health