A study of the prevalence of bacteria causing meningitis in newborns with neural tube defects at Ali Omar Askar Hospital

  • Fatma alhadi Erhoma Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Education, Al-Zaytouna University, Tarhuna, Libya.
  • Abdulaziz Youssef Alhaj Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Education, Al-Zaytouna University, Tarhuna, Libya.
DOI https://doi.org/10.58916/jhas.v10i3.858
Published: 2025-07-13
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Abstract

Bacterial meningitis is a life-threateing condition that affects infants and remains a major contributor neonatal morbidity and mortality,particularly aamong newborns with neural tube defects (NTDs). These congenital anomalies increase the susceptibility of the central nevous system to severe infections due to compromised structural integrity.

Objective: this study aims to investigate the prevalence and type of bacterial pathogens causing meningitis in neonates with NTDs admitted to Ali Omer Askar Hospital, Libya.

Method: A total of 33 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from neonates diagnosed with NDTs over a nine-month period. Samples underwent Gram staining and were cultured on various selective media (Blood Agar, Chocolate Agar, McConkey Agar). Additional samples were analyzed from blood and wound swabs to identify bacterial pathogens.

Results: Among the cases,72% tested positive for bacterial meningitis, with a higher prevalence in females (58.3%). Hydrocephaluse was the most common NDT observed (40%), while ruptured meningomyelocele cases showed the highest infection rates. Acinetobacter sp was the most frequently isolated bacterium (24.4%), followed by Staphylococcus hemolyticus (15.1%).

Conclusion: Neonates with NDTs, especially those with ruptured meningomyelocele, exhibit a significantly elevated risk of bacterial meningitis. The findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis, targeted antibiotic therapy, and heightened clinical attention for this vulnerable.

Keywords: Bacteria inflammation meningitis neonatal neural tube defect

How to Cite

Fatma alhadi Erhoma, & Abdulaziz Youssef Alhaj. (2025). A study of the prevalence of bacteria causing meningitis in newborns with neural tube defects at Ali Omar Askar Hospital. Bani Waleed University Journal of Humanities and Applied Sciences, 10(3), 284-298. https://doi.org/10.58916/jhas.v10i3.858
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Author Biography

  • Fatma alhadi Erhoma , Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Education, Al-Zaytouna University, Tarhuna, Libya.

    الاسم الكامل :- فاطمة الهادي علي ارحومة

    تاريخ الميلاد:- 16/4/1976

    الجنسية:-  ليبية

    الحالة الاجتماعية :- متزوجة

    البريد الالكتروني:- arhomafatma@gmail.com

    رقم الجوال :-  0913193640

    العنوان :- سوق الخميس امسيحل – طرابلس.

    الدرجة العلمية :- ماجستير.

    الدرجة الحالية :- محاضر.

    المؤهلات العلمية

    سنة التخرج

    الدولة

    الجامعة

    التخصص

    الدرجة

    1999

    ليبيا

    طرابلس – كلية التقنية الطبية

    مختبرات طبية

    بكالوريوس

    2009

    ليبيا

    سبها- كلية التقنية والهندسة براك الشاطى

    مختبرات طبية

    ماجستير

     

    الخبرات الاكاديمية

    1. عضو هيئة تدريس جامعة طرابلس - كلية التربية القصر - قسم الاحياء الدقيقة -من سنة 2010 م حتى 2014م
    2. انتقلت كعضو هيئة تدريس بجامعة الزيتونة - كلية التربية - قسم الاحياء الدقيقة -منذ عام 2014 م ومازالت مستمرة في هذا المنصب حتى الان .
    3. عملت كعضو هيئة تدريس متعاون- بالمعهد العالي للعلوم والتقنية بسوق الخميس إمسيحل- قسم التقنية الطبية – خلال الفترة من عام 2017 م إلى عام  2019م حيث توليت تدريس غالبية المقررات الدراسية بشعبة المختبرات الطبية .
    4. اشرفت على عدد من مشاريع التخرج لطلبة مرحلة البكالوريوس بشكل مستمر مند عام 2010م وحتى الوقت الحالي وذلك ضمن الاطار الاكاديمي لقسم التخصص .

    الابحاث العلمية

    1. عنوان البحث (Detection To Prevalence Infection Of Tuberculosis Through Between 2015 To 2017 Years In Tripoli - Libya) مجلة انوار المعرفة ، العدد التاسع يونيو 2021م.
    2. عنوان البحث (عزل وتشخيص بعض الأنواع البكتيرية المتسببة في التهابات المهبل لدى النساء) ، مجلة أنوار المعرفة ، العدد العاشر ديسمبر 2021م.
    3. عنوان البحث (Renal Failure) ، مجلة أنوار المعرفة ، العدد الحادي عشر يونيو 2022م.
    4. عنوان البحث (PREVALENCE OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS ON PREGNANT WOMEN) ،مجلة أنوار المعرفة ، العدد الثالث عشر يونيو 2023م.

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