Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: All 793 patients with meningococcal meningitis admitted to Abu Jubeha hospital in the eastern parts of South Kordofan State, were investigated. Through a quasi-experimental design some 140 patients were treated with crystalline penicillin for 5 days while the remaining majority, after the exhaustion of penicillin stocks, were put on single-dose intramascular injections of oily long-acting chloramphenicol. RESULTS: Males were slightly more affected than females (1.3:1), mean age affected was 17.2 years, the majority being below 20 years of age (68%) while 27.3% were below 10 years. The peak of the epidemic was during late March and early April namely 9th and 10th epidemic weeks. In the penicillin group 87.1% recovered uneventfully, 6.4% died, 2.1% developed blindness and 1.5% partial deafness. In the chloramphenicol group, full recovery was reported in 92.8%, 5% fatalities, blindness in 0.5%, partial deafness in 0.3% and skin necrosis in 0.1%. CONCLUSION: The study suggests the use of single-dose intramascular injections of oily chloramphenicol as a nationwide antibiotic of choice for future meningitis epidemics in view of not only its efficacy, but also its low cost, easiness of use, stability and safety.
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Authors | Asim A Hussein, Salah I Abdel Rahman |
Journal | Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
(Neurosciences (Riyadh))
Vol. 7
Issue 3
Pg. 171-5
(Jul 2002)
ISSN: 1319-6138 [Print] Saudi Arabia |
PMID | 23978966
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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