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Cerebrospinal Fluid Sterilization with Intrathecal Polymyxin in Addition to Parenteral Polymyxin in Nosocomial Acinetobacter Meningitis

Background: For the last few decades there has been a substantial concern regarding the increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter species in hospitals. Aim: To determine the outcomes with intrathecal polymyxins therapy in patients with multidrug resistant Acinetobacter species nosocomial meningitis. Place and duration of study: This Retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi Pakistan between 2010 and 2014. Methodology: Twenty six patients who developed post neurosurgical MDR Acinetobacter nosocomial meningitis age above 18 were included, while those with polymicrobial meningitis, and those patients who only received intravenous polymyxins were excluded. The primary outcome is ability and time to sterilize the cerebrospinal fluid Results: The mean age was 42.9±11.5 years. Cerebrospinal fluid sterilization was observed in 24 patients in a median of 4 days. One patient made complete recovery, 16 patients recovered with neurological deficits and five patients expired. A trend of early cerebrospinal fluid sterilization was observed in patients with continuous intrathecal therapy. The time to cerebrospinal fluid sterilization is similar with intrathecal colistin or polymyxin. Conclusion: Intrathecal polymyxins are safe and efficacious in the treatment of multidrug resistant nosocomial Acinetobacter species meningitis. Keywords: Intrathecal, Polymyxins, Multidrug resistant, Acinetobacter species, Nosocomial, Meningitis